LASTMA warns against use of skate shoes on highways

By Adebola Muili

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 vehicular corridors across the state.

The Authority said the practice exposes users to serious and avoidable traffic hazards, particularly when they glide alongside moving vehicles, cross carriageways indiscriminately or manoeuvre through traffic without adequate safety measures and adult supervision.

In a statement issued on Sunday, September 20, 2026, by its Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department, Adebayo Taofiq, LASTMA said public highways are dynamic environments primarily designed for motorised traffic and are unsuitable for recreational activities involving wheeled devices.

It noted that the simultaneous movement of vehicles, motorcycles, pedestrians and other road users could make it difficult for persons using wheeled footwear to respond appropriately to sudden changes in traffic, potentially resulting in collisions and serious injuries.

LASTMA therefore advised 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 areas where vehicular traffic is permitted.

The Authority urged users of such footwear to restrict skating activities to designated recreational areas, private compounds and other safe environments specifically suited for skating.

It also advised users to wear appropriate protective equipment, including helmets, knee pads and elbow pads, to reduce the risk of injury.

The General Manager of LASTMA, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, described road safety as a collective responsibility requiring constant vigilance, discipline and respect for the risks associated with public roads.

Bakare-Oki stressed that the preservation of human life must remain paramount, noting that no recreational activity should justify exposing individuals or other road users to unnecessary 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 locations where vulnerable road users could suddenly enter the traffic stream.

The Authority urged 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.

LASTMA said prompt reporting would facilitate timely intervention by relevant responders and contribute to safer road use across Lagos.

The Authority reiterated its commitment to protecting lives, promoting responsible road-user behaviour and sustaining a safer and more orderly transportation environment across the state.