The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has cautioned members of the public, particularly children, teenagers, and young adults, against using rolling skate shoes, wheeled footwear, and similar recreational devices on public highways and vehicular corridors. The authority warned that such practices expose users to grave and entirely avoidable traffic hazards.
The Authority observed that the increasing use of footwear fitted with concealed or retractable wheels on roads designed primarily for motorized traffic constitutes a serious safety concern. This is particularly dangerous where users attempt to glide alongside moving vehicles, cross carriageways indiscriminately, or maneuver through traffic without adequate protective measures and adult supervision.
Unlike designated recreational facilities, public highways are dynamic and highly unpredictable environments. They are characterized by the simultaneous movement of vehicles, motorcycles, pedestrians, and other road users. Introducing wheeled recreational devices into these spaces significantly diminishes a user's ability to respond to sudden vehicular movements, creating circumstances that can lead to devastating collisions and life-altering injuries.
A Call to Parents and Guardians
LASTMA strongly advises parents, guardians, schools, and caregivers to discourage children and other vulnerable road users from engaging in recreational activities involving rolling skate shoes on:
- Highways and expressways
- Bridges and service lanes
- Any other locations where vehicular traffic is permitted
The Authority urges users of wheeled footwear to restrict their activities to designated recreational areas, private compounds, or other safe environments specifically suited for skating. Users should always utilize appropriate protective equipment, including helmets, knee pads, elbow pads, and other safety gear.
Road Safety is a Collective Responsibility
The General Manager of LASTMA, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, reiterated that road safety requires constant vigilance, discipline, and respect for the inherent risks associated with public roads. He emphasized that the preservation of human life must remain paramount, noting that no recreational activity justifies exposing oneself or other road users to unnecessary danger.
LASTMA calls on motorists to exercise heightened vigilance around children and young persons using wheeled footwear, particularly within:
- Residential areas and estates
- School zones
- Locations where vulnerable road users may suddenly enter the traffic stream
How to Report Traffic Emergencies
The Authority urges members of the public to promptly report dangerous traffic situations, road obstructions, crashes, breakdowns, and other incidents requiring urgent traffic-management intervention.
You can contact LASTMA through their toll-free shortcode: 3367 to facilitate a timely intervention by relevant responders.
LASTMA reiterates its unwavering commitment to the protection of lives, the promotion of responsible road-user behaviour, and the sustenance of a safer and more orderly transportation environment across Lagos State. Safety on Lagos roads is not merely a regulatory obligation; it is a shared civic responsibility.
Adebayo Taofiq
Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department of LASTMA
Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department of LASTMA
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