The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has warned children, teenagers and young adults against using roller skates, wheeled shoes and other similar recreational footwear on public highways across the State.
The traffic management agency said the practice exposes users to serious road safety risks, particularly when people wearing wheeled footwear move alongside vehicles, cross roads without caution or attempt to navigate busy traffic without adequate protection and adult supervision.
LASTMA issued the warning on Sunday, September 20, 2026, as concern grows over the use of footwear fitted with concealed or retractable wheels on roads primarily designed for motorised traffic. The warning was contained in a statement issued in Lagos by the Agency’s General Manager, Olalekan Bakare-Oki.
According to the traffic authority, public highways are not suitable environments for recreational skating because traffic conditions can change rapidly. Vehicles, motorcycles, pedestrians and other road users operate simultaneously on such roads, creating situations that require constant attention and quick reactions.
LASTMA explained that people using wheeled shoes or roller skates on highways may have difficulty responding quickly when vehicles suddenly change direction, approach from behind or enter their path.
The Agency warned that such situations could result in collisions and potentially cause severe or life-changing injuries.
The warning is particularly directed at children and other vulnerable road users who may not have sufficient experience to anticipate the dangers associated with busy roads.
LASTMA said the risk becomes greater when people using roller skates attempt to glide close to moving vehicles, cross carriageways indiscriminately or manoeuvre between traffic without appropriate safety equipment.
The authority therefore appealed to parents, guardians, schools and caregivers to discourage children from using roller skates and wheeled footwear on highways, expressways, bridges, service lanes and other areas where vehicular traffic is permitted.
Instead, LASTMA advised skating enthusiasts to use designated recreational facilities, private compounds and other locations considered appropriate for the activity.
The Agency also encouraged people who engage in skating to use protective equipment to reduce the risk of injury in the event of a fall or accident.
Among the safety equipment recommended are helmets, knee pads and elbow pads.
The latest warning comes amid broader road safety concerns in Lagos, where densely populated neighbourhoods, busy arterial roads and heavy traffic often bring motorists, pedestrians, motorcycles and other road users into close proximity.
LASTMA said road safety cannot be achieved solely through enforcement by government agencies, stressing that individual responsibility and caution are also necessary.
Bakare-Oki emphasised that protecting human life should remain the priority whenever people use public roads.
He said recreational activities should not expose participants or other road users to unnecessary danger, according to the statement.
The Agency also extended its warning to motorists, urging drivers to exercise additional caution around children and young people who may be wearing wheeled footwear.
According to LASTMA, motorists should be particularly alert in residential neighbourhoods, estates and school zones because children and other vulnerable road users can unexpectedly enter traffic lanes.
The warning is important in areas where children may move between residential streets and major roads without fully appreciating the speed and movement of vehicles.
LASTMA said motorists should therefore reduce their speed and remain vigilant whenever they notice children or young people engaging in activities involving wheeled footwear near roads.
The traffic authority further urged members of the public to report dangerous traffic situations and other emergencies requiring immediate intervention.
Members of the public can contact LASTMA through its toll-free short code, 3367, to report road obstructions, crashes, vehicle breakdowns and other incidents requiring traffic management assistance.
LASTMA said prompt reporting of such incidents would enable relevant responders to intervene more quickly and help prevent potentially dangerous situations from escalating.
The Agency reiterated that road safety is a shared responsibility involving government authorities, motorists, pedestrians, parents, schools and other members of the public.
Its latest appeal is therefore not a warning against skating as a recreational activity itself, but against carrying out the activity in locations where moving vehicles create additional risks.
The authority advised families and caregivers to ensure that children who use roller skates or wheeled shoes do so in environments suitable for recreational skating rather than on roads designed primarily for vehicular movement.
LASTMA’s position is that keeping recreational activities away from highways, expressways, bridges and service lanes can reduce the likelihood of conflicts between skaters and motorists.
The Agency also encouraged those who participate in skating to make personal safety a priority by using appropriate protective gear and choosing controlled environments.
The warning follows similar safety concerns surrounding vulnerable road users in Lagos, where pedestrians, cyclists, children and other non-motorised road users share spaces with a large volume of motorised traffic.
LASTMA maintained that vigilance, discipline and respect for road safety rules remain essential to reducing preventable incidents on Lagos roads.
For parents and guardians, the Agency’s latest message is to pay particular attention to where children use wheeled footwear and ensure that recreational activities are kept away from areas with active vehicular traffic.
The authority also urged motorists to remain alert and prepared for unexpected movements by children, especially around schools, estates and residential communities.
With its toll-free emergency line, 3367, LASTMA encouraged residents to promptly report situations that could threaten road users or disrupt traffic flow.
The Agency said cooperation between residents and traffic authorities remains essential to maintaining safer roads across Lagos.
The warning ultimately places emphasis on prevention: keeping recreational skating away from active traffic corridors, ensuring children have appropriate supervision and encouraging the use of protective equipment whenever skating activities take place.