The decision of the Lagos State Government to review the Lagos State Transport Sector Reform Law (2018) is timely, following the controversy
generated over the implementation of that law which has drawn emotional theatrics from motorists who wailed uncontrollably while their vehicles were disposed of.
The cry of the affected motorists attracted quite a bit of public sympathy as members of the public contributed money to allay the plight of some of them; while government opposition campaigned that the law was unduly punitive and destructive of the citizens. Clearly, the law was aimed at curbing a public menace as emphasized by Onigbanjo. Law is three-way traffic: for the victim; the accused and society at large. This piece of legislation prescribed punitive sanctions for various traffic violations; such as imprisonment, fine, and forfeiture of the vehicle, both imprisonment and forfeiture of vehicle. No doubt, the traffic situation in many parts of the state has been subjected to gross abuse, necessitating some drastic action by the government.
Similarly, the law is a social engineering tool through which society can be properly planned, set, and orchestrated to bring about the necessary and much-needed positive change, development, advancement, and improvement. Any legislation that renders violators financially incapacitated even after paying a fine or serving a jail term is a bad law. Put differently, any law that prescribes multiple penalties for committing a particular offence is draconian.
Additionally, the tactics of placing sharp objects in front of vehicles or recklessly overtaking vehicles in motion deployed by traffic officials in a bid to apprehend alleged violators are unreasonable, unprofessional, and have sometimes resulted in accidents. The current administration should check the excesses of these officials and possibly adopt a more modern and technologically approved method on this.
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