Vehicle Inspection Service (VIS) reveals that to monitor speeding and other infractions, the Lagos State Government intends to place 3,000 smart cameras throughout the metropolis.
This idea was verified by VIS Head, Akin-George Fashola on Tuesday during a radio program. He declared: “Enforcement is about to get tougher. This year, the VIS will focus more on enforcing speed limits in Lagos. It’s not a new initiative, but we need to be more rigorous in implementation.”
In certain areas of Lagos, some of these smart security cameras are already in use. Devices to monitor drivers’ adherence to traffic regulations have been installed at Allen Junction, Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way, and Alapere.
Due to foot traffic, speed limits are set at 80 km/h incoming to Alausa and 60 km/h outbound to Oworonshoki. The 60 km/h speed limit on Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way reflects the area’s considerable foot traffic and dense population. In addition to speed control, Allen Junction’s cameras target red-light runners and other traffic infractions. The foundation of road safety enforcement will be electronic monitoring, which is the centrepiece of the government’s strategy.
Speed limit violators will receive an SMS warning and a punishment of ₦50,000. Drivers who feel they were punished incorrectly, however, can challenge it with evidence.
Continuing, Fashola pledged that the administration would back up its assertions with technological proof. To enhance compliance, the VIS is making improvements to its roadworthiness certification process. Roadworthiness certificate renewals can now be completed online by vehicle owners, doing away with the requirement to physically visit VIS centres. This service contributes to the objective of improving accountability on Lagos roadways and digitising vehicle records.
BrandSpur national news desk reports that the answer to the question of whether commercial buses are exempt from these regulations is no. Every day, on average, fifty commercial cars are seized for a variety of traffic violations.
However, to verify compliance, the VIS is also performing in-person inspections at parks and garages in coordination with park chairmen. Fashola emphasised that road safety is a shared duty and asked drivers to maintain their vehicles roadworthy by using any of the 45 VIS centres located around Lagos. He said: “We must slow people down to reduce the high rate of accidents in the state.”
