By Toba Owojaiye
In a bold move to enhance road safety and enforce traffic regulations, the Lagos State government has deployed four new Intelligent Transport System (ITS) sites to monitor speeding and other violations across the metropolis.
Truth Live News reports that this initiative, a collaboration between the Lagos State Ministry of Transportation and Huawei Technologies, marks a significant step in leveraging technology to curb reckless driving and reduce accidents.
At a press briefing on Thursday, Commissioner for Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, announced the implementation of the ITS sites, emphasizing their role in improving road discipline. These systems will work alongside existing Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras and other traffic management devices to enhance enforcement measures.
Two of the newly installed ITS sites will focus on detecting speeding violations. One is located at Alapere, Ogudu Road, with a speed limit of 80 km/h, while the other is at Nitel, Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way, where the speed limit is set at 60 km/h. These locations were strategically chosen to tackle excessive speeding—one of the leading causes of road accidents in Lagos.
In addition to speed monitoring, two e-police sites have been established at Allen Avenue Road Junction and Nurudeen Olowopopo Road. These will detect various traffic offenses, including running red lights, illegal U-turns, non-compliance with lane discipline, and reverse driving on highways.
Osiyemi urged motorists to comply with these new measures, warning that violations would attract stiff penalties. Running a red light will now cost offenders N20,000, while exceeding speed limits will result in a fine of N50,000. Enforcement begins immediately, with the Vehicle Inspection Service (VIS) department sending SMS notifications to offenders detailing their infractions and the corresponding penalties.
“The objective of this initiative is not to punish motorists but to encourage responsible driving, reduce accidents, and create a safer road network for Lagosians,” Osiyemi stated.
The announcement was made in the presence of key officials, including Commissioner for Innovation, Science, and Technology, Olatunbosun Alake, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Transportation, Olawale Musa, representatives from Huawei Technologies, and senior transportation ministry officials.
Lagos Joins the Continental Push for Intelligent Transport Systems
Lagos’ move to integrate smart traffic management solutions aligns with a growing trend across African cities striving to modernize transportation and reduce road fatalities.
Kenya: Nairobi has rolled out intelligent transport systems featuring cameras, sensors, and data analytics to monitor traffic flow and optimize traffic light operations.
South Africa: The Gauteng province operates an electronic toll collection system (e-toll), using overhead cameras and e-tags for cashless toll payments and vehicle tracking.
Tanzania: Dar es Salaam’s Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system, launched in 2016, integrates ITS technologies to manage bus movements efficiently.
These initiatives reflect a broader African commitment to leveraging technology for safer and more efficient urban mobility. By deploying ITS in key locations, Lagos positions itself at the forefront of smart traffic management, setting the stage for a more disciplined and technologically driven transportation system.
With Lagos’ notorious traffic congestion and frequent road accidents, this initiative could mark a turning point in enforcing order on the roads. However, questions remain about the consistency of enforcement, possible resistance from motorists, and the effectiveness of the technology in deterring habitual offenders.
For now, one thing is certain: the era of unchecked traffic violations in Lagos is coming to an end.