Good intentions, but …

By The Nation.

Babatunde Fashola

•The principles behind the new Lagos traffic laws are laudable; some rough edges appear

No doubt: there is urgent need to sanitise situations on Lagos roads, which are, even at the best of times, a bedlam. So, drastic efforts must be made to root out ingrained willful traffic infractions, particularly among lawless commercial bus drivers and bike riders; not to talk of outlaw uniformed men and women, that make the Lagos traffic such nightmare.
Still, there is even a more compelling need to resist the attempt to slap a draconic law on the citizenry. In an atmosphere notorious for routine impunity, the possible abuses could well be the death of the law and its fine principles. 
That is the grand paradox facing the Lagos State Road Traffic Law 2012, which Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, just signed. Where does a good law end and where does the harsh anger of Draco begin? That is the challenge facing this new law, billed to take effect immediately it is gazetted. The state government might want to take a fresh look at some of the harsh provisions. 
But the apparently draconian aspects are vitiated by the futuristic vision of the law that envisages, implicitly, that the road networks will make adherence less cumbersome.
The new law seeks to punish any action that could lead to attention dip, which could be lethal or even fatal while driving. So, attaching punitive fines to phoning, eating, drinking while driving is quite welcome. The basics of driving forbid such, for the safety of the driver, his passengers and other road users. That many, if not most indulge in these dangerous practices just shows the fraudulent way most acquire drivers’ licences. The new law would help to underscore the importance of basic driving etiquettes. But the long-term solution would be to ensure whoever acquires a driver’s licence is tested and found worthy of the licence, a process already on in the state.
Though commercial bike riders have been protesting the provisions of the law that limits them to certain category of roads, no self-respecting government would allow itself to be blackmailed by a few against the majority. If the commercial bike riders had any case, it is punctured by their well known notoriety for reckless driving. Limiting commercial bikers to certain classes of roads is justified; for the present practice of access to all roads and patronage of all sorts of customers, from the minor to most elderly of citizens is tantamount to courting needless road crashes. It should be decried; and the law has done the needful by outlawing it.
Still, until a comprehensive transport system is evolved, the law can only be partially successful. The sorry fact is that in the face of acute shortage on the transport supply sides, the law of demand and supply will still ensure those who dare would still do illicit business with Okada riders. And that applies to those roads from which commercial riders are excluded.
Another key stakeholders upset with the law are the Association of Maritime Truck Owners (AMATO), who have been hit by the law’s ban on trucks (aside from fuel tankers) from 6am to 9pm. That body has stacked its cards, claiming the Federal Government would lose revenue from port operations because of the new law. That might well be, but their self-interest is all the more evident in their arguments, which is hardly a crime. 
But again, the interest of a few cannot override that of the majority. However, Lagos State will do well to look into their complaints and see how they can be addressed without necessarily jeopardising the spirit and intention of the new law, which is fixing the traffic bedlam in Lagos.
The principles behind the new law are admirable. But some aspects of it have to be toned down, in view of reactions of the public. More importantly, if the law must be successful, the government must go on a pre-implementation drive, stressing the prevention-better-than-cure principle. Those who obey the law need not fear its harsh provisions.