Susan Abayomi
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has warned children, teenagers and young adults against using roller skate shoes, wheeled footwear and similar recreational devices on public highways.
The warning was issued following concerns over the growing use of footwear fitted with concealed or retractable wheels on roads primarily designed for motorised traffic.
In a statement issued on Sunday, LASTMA’s Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department, Adebayo Taofiq, said the practice could expose users to serious and avoidable traffic hazards, particularly when they move alongside vehicles, cross carriageways or manoeuvre through traffic without adequate safety measures and adult supervision.
The authority explained that highways are dynamic environments where vehicles, motorcycles, pedestrians and other road users operate simultaneously, making them unsuitable for recreational activities involving wheeled devices.
According to LASTMA, using roller skate shoes in such environments may make it difficult for users to respond appropriately to sudden movements by vehicles, thereby increasing the risk of collisions and serious injuries.
The authority urged parents, guardians, schools and caregivers to discourage children and other vulnerable road users from using roller skate shoes on highways, expressways, bridges, service lanes and other areas where vehicular traffic is permitted.
LASTMA advised users to restrict skating activities to designated recreational areas, private compounds and other suitable locations. It also recommended the use of appropriate protective equipment, including helmets, knee pads and elbow pads.
The General Manager of LASTMA, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, said road safety requires collective responsibility, vigilance and discipline among all road users.
He stressed that the protection of human life should remain paramount and urged motorists to exercise greater caution around children and young people using wheeled footwear, particularly in residential areas, estates and school zones.
LASTMA also appealed to members of the public to report dangerous traffic situations, road obstructions, crashes, vehicle breakdowns and other incidents requiring urgent traffic-management intervention through its toll-free short code, 3367.
The authority said prompt reporting would help facilitate timely intervention and contribute to safer and more orderly road use across Lagos State.
