The Lagos State Government has given the employees of the Lagos Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) more body cameras in order to boost the transparency of traffic management and enforcement.
The bodycams were given over the weekend during the visit of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Hon. Sola Giwa, to the LASTMA headquarters in Oshodi, for increased credibility and confidence in the delivery of effective traffic management and enforcement. the information was contained in a press release signed by the Ministry of Transportation's Public Relations Officer and made available to newsmen.
The Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration has implemented a number of technological innovations to address the State's transportation challenges, including the body camera, which has many advantages including accurate traffic management, according to the Special Adviser explaining the reason for the redeployment of the devices.
Giwa expressed his optimism that the bodycam would be able to produce accurate reports of traffic law violations or complaints, as the case may be. He added that the bodycam would provide accurate confirmation of any statement made by both law enforcement personnel and motorists, and that the visual evidence would also be helpful in looking into complaints made by irate drivers.
On how the camera works, Mr. Bolaji Oreagba, the LASTMA General Manager, said that LASTMA Officers had received proper training on how to use it and are therefore capable of operating the device, adding that the camera would have a major impact on reckless driving.
He continued by saying that the bodycam project is a method that benefits both drivers and law enforcement because it would put an end to the frequent discussions over traffic law violations through thorough recordings.
The most exciting feature of the device, according to a LASTMA Officer who spoke at the event under the condition of anonymity, is that it adds another layer of security by deterring would-be assailants from committing their horrible acts because they know they would be caught on camera.
It will be remembered that the body cameras, which were made in Germany and introduced in 2021 by Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Governor of Lagos State, have been found to operate efficiently for 12 hours without blinking, as the battery life span is strong and durable for use by Law Enforcement Officers.
The Transport Special Adviser praised the LASTMA Officers for their renewed commitment to ensuring that the State continues to experience significantly improved traffic management and thanked the whole LASTMA staff for their kind welcome when he visited the headquarters.