LASG to establish Road Safety Unit for improved transport safety in Lagos

In the bid to enhance transport safety across the state, the Lagos State Government has disclosed that a Road Safety Unit within its Ministry of Transportation will be set up soon.

This initiative is part of the ultimate plan of the Sanwoolu led government to ensure maximum road safety over the next two years, and highlights the government’s dedication to road safety, as outlined in Section 4.3 of the newly unveiled Lagos State Transport Policy.

The formation of the Road Safety Unit is a principled commitment of Lagos State to fulfilling its obligations under the United Nations’ Second Decade of Action for Road Safety and Nigeria’s National Road Safety Strategy, both of which aim for a future with zero road crash fatalities.

“The Government is fully committed to discharging its obligations under the United Nation’s Second Decade of Action on Road Safety and the country’ National Road Safety Strategy which have the overarching vision for no death resulting from road crashes.

“Demonstrating this commitment, a Road Safety Unit shall be established within the MoT to assure due attention is given to this important aspect of the performance of the sector,” a part of the policy states.

The policy further reveals that, in line with the planned establishment of the Road Safety Unit within the next two years, the Lagos State Government will also develop a comprehensive road safety action plan for the state.

Additionally, a training plan for the Unit’s staff will be implemented within the same period to ensure the optimal discharge of the Road Safety Unit’s responsibilities when eventually established.

For the set up, the Unit, according to the Lagos State Transport Policy will ensure the new transport database established by the Lagos State Ministry of Transportation pays particular attention to the definition, collection, analysis, and reporting of road safety data.

This focus will help clearly determine the achievements in fulfilling these obligations.

Moreover, to effectively achieve road safety in Lagos, the Safety Unit will adhere to international best practices. These practices according to the policy establishing the Unit encompass five pillars: road safety management, safer roads and mobility, safer vehicles, safer road users, and post-crash responses.