By Daniel Oluwatobiloba Popoola
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has warned children, teenagers and young adults against using rolling skate shoes, wheeled footwear and similar recreational devices on public highways and other roads used by vehicles.
This was disclosed in a statement by the authority, which explained that the practice exposes users to serious and avoidable traffic hazards, particularly when they glide alongside moving vehicles, cross roads without proper care, or move through traffic without adequate protective equipment and adult supervision.
LASTMA noted that the growing use of footwear fitted with concealed or retractable wheels on roads meant mainly for motorised traffic had become a safety concern.
The agency explained that public highways differ from designated recreational facilities because vehicles, motorcycles, pedestrians and other road users move through them simultaneously, making traffic conditions unpredictable.
It added that using wheeled recreational devices in such spaces can make it difficult for users to react properly to sudden movements by vehicles and other road users, increasing the risk of collisions and serious injuries.
“The introduction of wheeled recreational devices into such spaces can significantly diminish a user’s ability to respond appropriately to sudden vehicular movements, creating circumstances capable of culminating in devastating collisions and life-altering injuries,” the statement read.
LASTMA urged parents, guardians, schools and caregivers to discourage children and other vulnerable road users from using rolling skate shoes for recreational activities on highways, expressways, bridges, service lanes and other areas open to vehicular traffic.
The authority also appealed to users of the footwear to restrict skating activities to designated recreational areas, private compounds and other safe locations suitable for such activities, while advising them to wear appropriate protective equipment, including helmets, knee pads, elbow pads and other safety gear.
The General Manager of LASTMA, Mr Olalekan Bakare-Oki, reiterated that road safety is a collective responsibility that requires constant vigilance, discipline and respect for the risks associated with public roads.
He stressed that protecting human life must remain the priority, adding that no recreational activity should expose users or other road users to avoidable danger.
LASTMA further called on motorists to exercise greater caution around children and young persons using wheeled footwear, particularly in residential areas, estates, school zones and other places where vulnerable road users could suddenly enter the road.
The authority urged members of the public to promptly report dangerous traffic situations, road obstructions, crashes, vehicle breakdowns and other incidents requiring urgent traffic-management intervention through its toll-free short code, noting that timely reports would help facilitate intervention by relevant responders.
The agency reiterated its commitment to protecting lives, promoting responsible behaviour among road users and maintaining a safer and more orderly transportation environment across Lagos State.
“Safety on Lagos roads is not merely a regulatory obligation; it is a shared civic responsibility,” the statement added.
