The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has cautioned children, teenagers and young adults against using roller skate shoes, wheeled footwear and other recreational devices on public highways and roads designated for vehicular traffic.
In a statement, the agency said the practice exposes users to serious and preventable traffic risks, especially when they move alongside vehicles, cross roads carelessly or navigate through traffic without proper protective gear and adult supervision.
LASTMA said the increasing use of footwear equipped with concealed or retractable wheels on roads primarily designed for motorised vehicles had raised safety concerns.
The agency explained that public highways are different from designated recreational areas, as they are shared by vehicles, motorcycles, pedestrians and other road users, creating unpredictable traffic conditions.
According to the Authority, using wheeled recreational devices in such places 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,” LASTMA said.
The agency 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.
It further advised users 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 also 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 the LASTMA toll-free short code.
It said timely reports would help facilitate intervention by relevant responders.
LASTMA 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 agency added.
