The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has introduced a new toll-free emergency hotline, 3367, to improve traffic management, speed up emergency response and strengthen communication between the agency and residents across the state.
The initiative is part of the Lagos State Government’s drive to deploy technology in addressing transportation challenges in Nigeria’s commercial capital, where heavy traffic congestion and road accidents remain major concerns.
LASTMA announced that the newly launched 3367 short-code replaces its previous long-service communication number, offering a simpler, faster and more accessible platform through which motorists and other road users can report emergencies without paying for calls.
According to the agency, the hotline is currently available free of charge to subscribers on MTN, Glo and 9mobile, formerly known as Etisalat, allowing residents to contact traffic officials whenever urgent intervention is required.
The agency explained that the introduction of the short-code is expected to encourage more people to report traffic-related incidents promptly, thereby helping traffic officers respond faster and reduce delays caused by accidents and road obstructions.
LASTMA said residents can use the hotline to report broken-down vehicles, road crashes, stranded fuel tankers, disabled articulated trucks, blocked roads and other situations capable of causing traffic gridlock or endangering road users.
The agency noted that timely reports from members of the public would enable its emergency response teams to quickly reach affected locations, clear obstructions and restore the free flow of traffic.
In addition to handling emergencies, LASTMA said the new communication platform would also allow residents to report the conduct and operational activities of its personnel.
According to the agency, this aspect of the initiative is aimed at promoting transparency, accountability and professionalism among traffic officers while strengthening public confidence in the agency.
The management stressed that complaints concerning the behaviour of LASTMA officials would be treated seriously and investigated in line with the agency’s commitment to improving service delivery.
To ensure that language does not prevent people from accessing the service, LASTMA disclosed that callers can communicate with operators in English, Yoruba and Pidgin English.
The multilingual arrangement, the agency said, is designed to remove communication barriers and encourage more residents from different backgrounds to report emergencies promptly.
Officials believe that allowing callers to speak in languages they are comfortable with will improve the quality of information received and help operators dispatch emergency teams more efficiently.
Speaking on the initiative, LASTMA General Manager, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, described the launch of the toll-free hotline as another important step in the agency’s efforts to build a safer, smarter and more responsive transportation system in Lagos.
He said the deployment of the new communication platform reflects LASTMA’s commitment to embracing technology and digital solutions to tackle the growing transportation challenges associated with a rapidly expanding city.
Bakare-Oki noted that Lagos continues to experience significant population growth, with millions of people relying on its roads every day for business, work and other activities.
According to him, managing traffic in such a large and busy city requires modern tools that enable residents and government agencies to work together in responding to emergencies.
“The inauguration of the 3367 Toll-Free Short-Code Hotline represents another monumental stride towards institutionalising a safer, more efficient and highly responsive transportation ecosystem across Lagos State,” he said.
“It provides residents with a direct, convenient and cost-free channel through which incidents requiring immediate intervention can be promptly reported.”
The LASTMA boss explained that the agency’s emergency response system depends heavily on the timely flow of information from motorists and residents, adding that the new platform would improve coordination between the public and traffic management officials.
He assured residents that every report received through the hotline would be handled professionally and confidentially before being forwarded to the appropriate operational units for immediate action.
Bakare-Oki urged Lagos residents to make full use of the hotline whenever they encounter traffic emergencies or observe situations capable of disrupting the free flow of vehicles.
He also encouraged members of the public to report any misconduct by traffic officials, saying public feedback would help improve accountability and service delivery.
According to him, effective traffic management is a shared responsibility that requires cooperation between government agencies and the public.
The introduction of the new hotline comes as Lagos continues to invest in technology-driven solutions to improve public services, transportation and emergency response.
Over the years, the state government has introduced several digital initiatives aimed at reducing traffic congestion, improving road safety and enhancing communication between public agencies and residents.
LASTMA, established in 2000, remains the state’s primary traffic management agency, with responsibility for controlling traffic, responding to road emergencies and ensuring the smooth movement of vehicles across Lagos.
The agency works alongside other emergency responders, including the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), the Nigeria Police Force, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and other relevant organisations whenever major road accidents or traffic incidents occur.
Traffic congestion remains one of the biggest challenges facing Lagos, Africa’s largest city by population. Daily traffic delays, vehicle breakdowns, road crashes and indiscriminate parking often disrupt movement and affect business activities across the metropolis.
Transportation experts have repeatedly stressed that quick reporting of incidents is essential to reducing traffic build-up and ensuring that emergency responders can clear affected roads before congestion spreads to surrounding areas.
With the launch of the 3367 toll-free hotline, the Lagos State Government hopes to encourage greater public participation in traffic management while improving emergency response times and strengthening accountability within LASTMA.