The Lagos State Government recently took an interesting and unprecedented step in traffic law enforcement by directing the mandatory psychiatric evaluation of 18 motorists arrested for driving against traffic.
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), in a statement issued by its Director of Public Affairs, Adebayo Taofiq over the weekend, described the measure as a “strategic effort to curb the menace of one-way traffic violations” in the state.
EDITOR’S PICKS
The agency said the 18 vehicle owners were apprehended for “willfully driving against traffic flow,” and prosecutorial frameworks have been finalised for their immediate arraignment.
A Preventive, Not Punitive, Approach
According to the statement, the psychiatric evaluation is not intended as punishment but as a preventive and restorative tool.
“This directive is part of a multi-faceted approach to restore road discipline, ensure public safety, and maintain order on Lagos roads,” the statement reads.
It further explained that each offender will undergo a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation “to assess their cognitive fitness and behavioural disposition.”
LASTMA General Manager Olalekan Bakare-Oki said the initiative aims to protect the public from “dangerously reckless” road users.
He emphasised that despite continuous public sensitisation, some motorists continue to act with impunity, leading to road crashes, congestion, and damage to infrastructure.
Aligning with global best practices
Bakare-Oki stated that the policy aligns with “global best practices in advanced traffic psychology and behavioural enforcement.” He described the psychiatric testing as both a “corrective instrument and a deterrent” to potential violators.
“This measure is more than just a traffic enforcement initiative; it is a moral and civic imperative, reflecting the Lagos state government’s vision to promote responsible motoring, safeguard human life, and maintain order on our roads,” he said.
A model for other states?
The idea of psychiatric evaluation for traffic offenders is not entirely new. In countries like Australia, the UK, and parts of the US, mental health assessments are part of the licensing or post-violation process for individuals involved in erratic or dangerous driving behaviour. The goal is to identify whether such conduct stems from deeper issues such as impulse-control disorders, substance abuse, or psychiatric conditions.
The questions over the state of mind of offending drivers often come from the belief that very few right-thinking members of society would intentionally drive against traffic, a dangerous behaviour that could turn deadly as the recent case in Ibadan, Oyo State, showed.
With Lagos pioneering this psychiatric assessment directive as part of its traffic management reforms in Nigeria, the question now is whether other Nigerian states should consider adopting a similar approach. The state government views the policy as a proactive step to rehabilitate drivers and prevent future violations, rather than relying solely on punitive measures.
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Whether this approach becomes a model for other states may depend on how effectively it addresses the underlying issues of road indiscipline and public safety.
Philip Ibitoye is a Special Correspondent with EKO HOT BLOG. Click here to find daily analysis and critical insight on trending issues in Lagos and other parts of Nigeria.
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