Must Read: New Traffic Rules to be Introduced in Lagos

If new bill passed by the Lagos State House of Assembly is signed into law by the state governor, motorists that drive on one-way traffic in Lagos will pay a fine of N50, 000 or serve a three year jail term.

The bill which was passed by the Lagos State House of Assembly on Sunday comprises new amendments to traffic law. The bill, which is now before the governor, Babatunde Fashola, for his assent, stipulates that driving in a direction prohibited by the road traffic law will attract a fine of N50, 000 or three year jail term or both, while a first offender gets one year term. The bill also stipulates that bullion vans that drive in a direction prohibited by the road traffic law will be forfeited to the state government while vehicles abandoned on highway will be fined N50, 000.

Other newly introduced offences and their attendant penalties are as follows:

Riding of motor-cycle (popularly referred to as Okada) against traffic, riding on the kerb, median or road setbacks, will attract a fine of N20,000 for first time offenders while repeated occurrences will attract a fine of N30,000 or the impounding of the motorcycle. Also, operating a motor-cycle in a restricted area on or prohibited route attracts N20, 000 fine or the impounding of the motor-cycle.

Prohibited routes for motorcycles and tricycles have also been listed in the new bill. These include major highways in Lagos. The other highways are: Lagos- Ibadan expressway, Apapa–Oshodi–Oworonshoki, Lagos–Ikorodu Road, Lagos–Abeokuta Expressway, Eti-Osa–Lekki–Epe expressway, Funsho Williams Avenue, and Agege Motor Road.