By Seun Ibiyemi
The Lagos State government has reaffirmed its commitment to promoting road safety through the re-launch of the School Safety Traffic Advocacy Program.
The initiative, spearheaded by the Ministry of Transportation, aims to address critical traffic safety challenges in the state by educating students, teachers, and parents on responsible road use.
Speaking at the event held at the Combo Hall, Agidingbi, Ikeja, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Hon. Sola Giwa, emphasized the importance of instilling traffic safety awareness from an early age.
“This program reflects the government’s determination to tackle the lack of traffic knowledge and poor road attitudes that contribute to gridlock and road safety issues in Lagos,” Giwa stated.
Highlighting the program’s goals, Giwa noted that many commercial and professional drivers lack formal traffic education, posing significant risks to road users.
He stressed that children and young people, as frequent pedestrians, passengers, and cyclists, must be equipped with essential road safety skills to reduce transport-related incidents, which remain a leading cause of death among young people globally.
The re-launched program will provide comprehensive traffic education across public and private schools in Lagos State. It aims to foster safety consciousness, promote responsible road use, and shape positive road attitudes among children to ensure they become responsible drivers and citizens in the future.
Giwa called on parents, educators, school administrators, and community leaders to actively support the initiative, stating, “Traffic safety education must become a shared responsibility, deeply rooted in our homes, schools, and communities.”
The program is expected to yield significant benefits, including:
Increased knowledge of road traffic safety from an early age.
Improved road user behavior across all age groups.
A long-term transformation of the road environment, making traffic safety a shared cultural value.
As the government renews its commitment to building a safer Lagos, Giwa urged all stakeholders to join forces to create safer roads and communities. “Together, we can ensure a Lagos State where every child thrives safely, and where our roads are pathways of safety and responsibility,” he concluded.
The re-launch marks a significant step toward creating a traffic-conscious generation and ensuring safer roads for all Lagosians.
Also, the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has reaffirmed its commitment to child road safety with the relaunch of the Lagos State School Traffic Safety Advocacy Programme.
The event, held under the theme “Every Child Has a Right to a Safe Road”, underscores the critical need for safe road practices for schoolchildren.
Speaking at the event, LASTMA’s General Manager, Bakare-Oki Olalekan, expressed gratitude to the Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Honourable Sola Giwa, for his tireless efforts in ensuring the program’s success. He emphasized the alignment of the initiative with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) of 1989, which advocates for every child’s right to protection, care, and safety.
Olalekan highlighted alarming global statistics from the World Health Organization, noting that over 12 million people die annually in road-related incidents, with many more disabled. The Lagos State School Traffic Safety Advocacy Programme aims to address this by equipping children with essential road safety skills.
The program focuses on:Teaching children to walk on pavements or paths and face oncoming traffic if no pavement exists.
Encouraging the avoidance of distractions like mobile phones or headphones while crossing roads.
Advocating for responsible adult supervision for younger children.
Instilling the importance of seatbelt usage, as mandated by the Transport Sector Reform Law of 2018.
The initiative also emphasizes integrating road safety education into school curriculums to instill discipline, awareness, and responsible behavior from an early age. By fostering these habits, LASTMA hopes to reduce accidents, injuries, and fatalities while creating safer environments for children to walk or cycle without fear of traffic hazards.
The General Manager concluded by reaffirming LASTMA’s commitment to mobilizing resources to sustain this vital advocacy program, ensuring every child in Lagos enjoys their inherent right to safe roads.