The Lagos State Government has directed the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) to ensure that 18 motorists arrested for driving against traffic undergo mandatory psychiatric evaluation.
The move is part of a broader strategy to restore order, enhance road safety, and instill discipline among motorists in the state.
According to LASTMA’s General Manager, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, the psychiatric assessments are designed to evaluate the cognitive and behavioral disposition of the offenders. “The enforcement of psychiatric assessments is not intended to stigmatize or punish,” Bakare-Oki said.
“Rather, it is a necessary intervention aimed at protecting the motoring public from individuals whose actions show reckless disregard for human life and lawful order.”
He added that despite continuous public sensitization campaigns, many drivers still violate traffic regulations, contributing to fatal accidents, congestion, and infrastructural strain.
“This measure is not just traffic enforcement; it is a civic and moral imperative that reflects the Lagos State Government’s commitment to responsible driving, the protection of human life, and the creation of safer roads,” Bakare-Oki emphasized.
LASTMA urged all motorists to adhere strictly to traffic rules and to report related emergencies via its toll-free hotline: 080000527862.
