Dare Babalola
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has launched a groundbreaking initiative, inducting media practitioners as “Traffic Mayors” to collaborate with agency’s officers in promoting traffic order, safety, and mobility across the state.
This innovative program aims to leverage the influence of the media to stimulate public compliance, promote civic awareness, and foster a culture of discipline on Lagos roads, according to a statement by LASTMA’s Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department, Adebayo Taofiq on Sunday.
LASTMA’s General Manager, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, emphasised the critical role of the media in shaping public consciousness and driving societal transformation.
Bakare-Oki noted that the initiative is a deliberate effort to engage media practitioners as active participants in the crusade for traffic sanity. “Their induction as ‘Traffic Mayors’ augments the moral suasion dimension of our operations and will significantly deepen the culture of voluntary compliance among motorists,” he said.
The Traffic Mayors will work in tandem with LASTMA officers to sensitize the motoring public, amplify traffic advisories, and promote lawful conduct on Lagos roads. This collaboration extends LASTMA’s operational reach while enhancing the credibility and acceptability of its enforcement strategies.
The Director of Traffic Advocacy and Special Mayor, Awoyemi Jimmy, hailed the initiative as an administrative innovation of monumental consequence. He emphasised that traffic management in Lagos requires enduring partnerships with thought leaders, media vanguards, and civic stakeholders.
The “Traffic Mayor” initiative marks a new era in traffic governance in Lagos State, where enforcement, advocacy, and mass enlightenment converge to promote orderliness, safety, and progress.
For emergencies, road accidents, or traffic-related concerns, residents were advised to contact LASTMA via its multilingual toll-free hotline 080000527862.
