The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has warned children, teenagers and young adults against using rolling skate shoes and other wheeled footwear on highways and other roads used by motorists.
The traffic agency said the practice could expose users to serious and avoidable dangers, particularly when they glide alongside moving vehicles, cross carriageways or attempt to manoeuvre through traffic without adequate protection and adult supervision.
General Manager of LASTMA, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, issued the warning in a statement on Sunday, stressing that roads designed primarily for motorised traffic were unsuitable for recreational activities involving wheeled devices.
According to him, the increasing use of footwear fitted with concealed or retractable wheels has become a safety concern because users may find it difficult to react appropriately to sudden changes in traffic conditions.
He said public highways differ significantly from designated recreational facilities because vehicles, motorcycles, pedestrians and other road users operate simultaneously, creating an environment that can change rapidly.
“The introduction of wheeled recreational devices into such spaces can significantly diminish a user’s ability to respond appropriately to sudden vehicular movements,” Bakare-Oki said.
He warned that such situations could result in serious collisions and life-altering injuries.
LASTMA therefore urged parents, guardians, schools and caregivers to discourage children and other vulnerable road users from using rolling skate shoes on highways, expressways, bridges, service lanes and other locations where vehicular traffic is permitted.
The agency advised those who use the footwear for recreation to restrict skating activities to designated recreational areas, private compounds and other locations specifically suited for skating.
It also recommended the use of appropriate protective equipment, including helmets, knee pads and elbow pads.
Bakare-Oki said road safety required the cooperation of all categories of road users, adding that vigilance and discipline were essential to reducing avoidable risks on public roads.
He stressed that protecting human life should take precedence over recreational activities, noting that no form of recreation should warrant exposing users or other road users to unnecessary danger.
The LASTMA boss also called on motorists to exercise greater caution around children and young people using wheeled footwear, particularly in residential areas, estates and school zones.
He noted that vulnerable road users could suddenly enter the traffic stream in such areas, requiring motorists to remain particularly alert.
Members of the public were further urged to report dangerous traffic situations, road obstructions, crashes, vehicle breakdowns and other incidents requiring urgent traffic-management intervention through LASTMA’s toll-free short code, 3367.
The agency said prompt reports would help facilitate timely intervention by relevant responders and contribute to safer roads across Lagos State.
