Harsh penalties await violators of the new Lagos State Road Traffic bill, which was signed into law on Thursday by Governor Babatunde Fashola.
The governor signed the law at a short ceremony at Lagos House, Alausa.
The law prescribes a raft of penalties including psychiatric, breath and urine tests, fines and prison terms for traffic offenders in the state.
Fashola, during a short ceremony to mark the signing at the State House, Alausa, Ikeja, said the law was in response to the growing challenges of road traffic management.
For instance, driving against traffic attracts a psychiatric test and three-year jail term.
The traffic law prohibited motorists from eating as well as making phone calls while driving.
It stipulated a fine of N20,000 for first offender and a maximum of three years imprisonment or N30,000 fine or both for subsequent offences.
It bars operators of okada, carts, wheel barrows and tricycles from operating in Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Ikorodu Road, Apapa-Oshodi Expressway, Agege Motor Road, Funsho Williams Avenue, Eko Bridge, Third Mainland Bridge, Carter Bridge, Lagos-Badagry Expressway, Victoria Island-Lekki-Epe Expressway and all bridges in the state.
Okada operators would now operate between 6am and 8pm where permitted in the state. However, motorcycles of courier companies were exempted with a proviso that it must have an engine capacity of 200cc, carry prescribed number plates and identification, be fitted with proper mail cabin and must not carry any passenger.
The law also stated that trailers would only be allowed in the state between 6am and 9pm. Fuel tankers and long vehicles for carrying passenger were, however, prohibited.
Defaulting trailers will be impounded with while their drivers risk imprisonment for six months or N50,000 fine.
However, the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Ade Ipaye, said the law would not take effect until it had been gazetted and widely publicised.
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