Lagos Lawmakers Advocate Roads Signs, Signal Lights

Members of the Lagos State House of Assembly has directed state Ministry of Transportation to ensure that zebra crossing, signs and signal lights are erected in designated areas in order to give effect to rules guiding pedestrian crossing in the state.

The House also directed that state Commissioner for Information and Strategy to intensify enlightenment campaign on the need for motorists and pedestrians in the state to comply with these signs, as it also called on the state Commissioner of Police to ensure that motorists comply with the provision of the Highway Code and Lagos State Traffic Law, 2012.

These were the resolutions of the lawmakers prior to a motion moved by the member representing Ifako Ijaiye Constituency 2, Hon. Ipoola Omisore during plenary session on Tuesday.

Hon. Omisore in the motion had noted the commitment of the state Government towards ensuring pedestrian safety on Lagos roads by marking longitudinal stripes (zebra crossing), on roads in high human and vehicular density in the State, citing part one section B (II) of the Nigeria Highway Code, which states that a “pedestrian is a person who is walking on the road especially in an area also used by vehicles. Drivers share the road with many other road users among who are pedestrians who are part of exposed road users.”

Going by this, the lawmaker in the motion, observed that a zebra crossing by law gives right of way to pedestrians, but noted that most motorists are either ignorant or willfully disregard the existence of these all important safety signs.

This according to Hon. Omisore calls for worry as lives of innocent Lagosians had been lost due to the carefree attitude of some motorists.

The motion after presentation and deliberation was later adopted as the resolution of the House, and was communicated to the concerned and relevant government agencies.