Sunday Ehigiator
The Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences Unit (Taskforce) has commenced the prosecution of drivers whose vehicles were impounded last Friday night on Murtala Mohammed International Airport Road for driving against the traffic.
A statement signed and made available yesterday to journalists by the agency’s Head of Public Affairs, Femi Moliki, disclosed that the Chairman of the agency, CSP Shola Jejeloye, was leading his team on a routine enforcement of traffic laws in the metropolis when he ran into some of the vehicles driving against traffic on Airport Road last Friday night.
“Further waiting in the area by the team led to the seizure of more vehicles, bringing the total to 10,” the statement said.
While expressing surprise on the unending attitude of some motorists still driving against the traffic in view of the impound and auction policy of the state government, Jejeloye noted that forthwith, the taskforce would start prosecuting drivers of vehicles impounded for one way.
He maintained that it is appalling that despite the seizure of vehicles and auctioning them after obtaining court order, a lot of motorists still drive against traffic, stressing that the agency would implement the traffic law on driving against the traffic completely.
He, however, said the agency would forthwith begin the arrest and prosecution of drivers of vehicles impounded for driving against traffic because of the unyielding stance of many motorists still caught in the act.
He added that the state law provided for a year imprisonment for driver of any vehicle impounded for one way as well as forfeiture of such vehicle.
“It is disturbing that you still find many highly enlightened motorists driving against traffic just like the uneducated ones.
“In view of the fact that a lot of lives have been cut short by vehicles driving against traffic, many motorists are still in the habit of driving against the traffic, putting pedestrians and other road users’ lives in danger,” he stated.
