The traffic mobile court inaugurated by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode last Friday officially kicks off today, with offenders who exceed speed limit while driving risking a jail term of one year or paying a sum of N100,000 or both, on conviction.
Other offences listed for conviction include assault on a traffic officer (physical), driving in a direction prohibited by the Road Traffic Law/Neglect of Traffic Directions and operating a motorcycle in a restricted area or on prohibited route.
According to the law, anybody, who assaults a police officer, on conviction would go to jail for three years or pay a fine of N100,000 or both, while driving on a prohibited route would attract a jail term of one (1) year and forfeiture of vehicle for first offender.
The second and subsequent offender would be sent to prison term of three (3) years, as well as forfeiture of vehicle to the state. The convicts shall have their data and biometric captured.
It is also no more business as usual for operators of bullion vans in the state with the official take-off of the Mobile Court by the state government .
According to Traffic Law, which will guide the operation of the Mobile Court, any bullion van that is impounded for driving against traffic will be forfeited .
Drivers , who drive against traffic will also be made to forfeit their vehicles in accordance with the State Traffic Law.
Over speeding has also a very serious implication with the offenders facing a fine of N100,000.
Drivers who are caught for overspeeding may also be sentenced to a year in prison, depending on the decision of the Magistrate,
Drivers, who are in the habit of tailing emergency vehicles will also pay a fine of N20,000 on their first arraignment while they will pay N30,000 on the second arraignment .
Wrongful overtaking on the roads in Lagos attracts a fine of N100,000, while illegal U-Turn attracts a fine of N20,000 on first offence and N30,000 on the second offence.
Those who are in the habit of physically assaulting traffic officials should have a re-think as they face up to three years in prison
Okada riders, who ride against restricted route are to pay N20,000 on the first arrest, while they are to pay a fine of N30,000 on their second arrest.
Riders, who use horns that are not designed for vehicle will henceforth not go scot-free again in Lagos, as the offence now attracts a fine of N20,000 on first arrest.
Some sanity will return. But what of police officers/men who assault road users physically rather than apply the law? Ditto with other traffic officers. We also hope our law enforcement agents will not apply this to obtain vendetta! Hmmmmmmm