The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has warned children, teenagers and young adults against using skate shoes and other wheeled footwear on public roads, citing the risk of serious traffic accidents.
LASTMA General Manager, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, issued the warning in a statement on Sunday, urging parents, schools, guardians and caregivers to prevent children from using the devices on highways, expressways, bridges and service lanes.
He said the growing use of footwear fitted with concealed or retractable wheels on roads meant for motorised traffic had become a safety concern, particularly when users glide alongside moving vehicles or cross roads without adequate supervision.
Bakare-Oki said public highways presented unpredictable conditions, with vehicles, motorcycles and pedestrians moving simultaneously. He warned that wheeled recreational devices could reduce users’ ability to react to sudden changes in traffic.
According to him, the practice could result in collisions capable of causing severe or life-changing injuries.
LASTMA advised users of skate shoes and roller skates to restrict their activities to designated recreational facilities, private compounds and other locations considered suitable for skating.
The agency also urged users to wear protective equipment such as helmets, knee pads and elbow pads while skating.
Bakare-Oki called for greater vigilance from motorists around children and young people using wheeled footwear, particularly in residential areas, estates and school zones where they could unexpectedly enter traffic.
He stressed that road safety required cooperation and discipline from all road users, adding that recreational activities should not expose individuals or motorists to unnecessary danger.
Members of the public were also urged to report dangerous traffic situations, road obstructions, crashes, vehicle breakdowns and other incidents requiring urgent intervention through LASTMA’s toll-free short code, 3367.
LASTMA warns against using skate shoes on public roads
