- Says offender will earn 3-year jail term, forfeit vehicle
The state government which decried the rate of noise pollution and lawlessness perpetrated by the continued unregulated use of sirens by road users and other prominent individuals in the state, said it would not hesitate to prosecute any road user who flouts the order.
The State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Ade Ipaye, who announced the ban said only few vehicles on emergency operation, are allowed to use siren while on Lagos roads.
According to him, the use of siren and other noisy devices in vehicles is prohibited under the Lagos State Road Traffic Law, adding that the state would no longer condone illegality.
He gave the lists of those exempted from siren usage on Lagos roads to include ambulances, other emergency vehicles such as fire service trucks and law enforcement vehicles on urgent call.
Ipaye added that apart from those listed, nobody is allowed to use siren or other noisy device in a vehicle within the territorial boundary of the State, saying anyone caught using siren indiscriminately would be treated as criminal.
His words: “Use of siren and other noisy devices have caused unnecessary harassment to innocent road users and resulted in many instances of traffic congestion, avoidable motor accidents, damage to property and personal injury.
“We call on road users in Lagos to note that under section 24(c) of the Lagos State Road Traffic Law 2011, it is a criminal offence to use or deploy siren or other noisy device in a vehicle within the State.
“By virtue of section 36(1) of the same Law, convicted offenders may be fined N30, 000 and/ or imprisoned for up to three (3) years”.
Attorney General added that in addition to the above penalty, offenders would be held fully responsible for damages or injury caused by their contravention, and the offending vehicle is also liable to be forfeited to the State by virtue of section 36(2) of the Law.
“Law Enforcement Officers have been directed to ensure full compliance with the Lagos State Road Traffic Law for the purpose of ensuring the peace, safety, and security of all residents and visitors on our roads,”Ipaye added.
The commissioner said anybody that contravenes any sections of the law should be prepared to face the full wrath of the law.
Governor, Babatunde Fashola stated that he has never used siren while commuting within the state for the past seven years and called on politicians and other prominent personalities to emulate his style
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