FASHOLA SIGNS NEW TRAFFIC BILL INTO LAW ;NO EATING WHILE DRIVING

Harsh reality awaits violators of the new Lagos State Road Traffic
bill, which was signed into law, Thursday by Governor Babatunde
Fashola.The governor signed the law at a short ceremony at Lagos
House, Alausa. The law prescribed a raft of penalties including
psychiatric,breath and urine tests,fines and prison terms for traffic
offenders in the state.Click on read more below to continue.....

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 prohibits motorists from eating as well as making
calls while driving.It stipulates a fine of N20,000 for first offender
and a maximum of three years imprisonment or N30,000 fine or
both for subsequent offenders.

It bars operators of okada,carts,wheelbarrows and tricycles from operating on 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,motor-cycles 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 states that trailers will only be allowed in the state between 6am and 9pm.Fuel tankers and long vehicles
for carrying passengers were however,prohibited.Defaulting
trailers will be impounded while their drivers risk imprisonment
for six months or N50,000 fine. However, the Attorney-General
and commissioner for Justice,Ade Ipaye said the new law will
not take effect until it has been gazetted and widely publicised.