Stakeholders in the transportation sector have reiterated the urgent need for improved driver training methods as a strategy to reduce the growing number of road crashes. This call was strongly emphasized during the Lagos State Drivers’ Institute (LASDRI) annual Train-the-Trainer workshop, themed “Drivers’ Education: Panacea to Economic Growth and Development.”
The workshop highlighted the crucial role of driver education not only in ensuring safer roads but also in contributing to broader economic growth and sustainable development in Lagos State and across Nigeria. According to participants, building a strong culture of continuous training remains a vital step in achieving a safer, more efficient transportation system.
Declaring the workshop open, Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Oluwaseun Osiyemi, reaffirmed the government’s dedication to strengthening transport safety through structured training programmes and strict adherence to driving standards. He noted that the government remains committed to policies that improve drivers’ competence and instill discipline among road users, given the rising challenges of urbanisation and vehicular growth in Lagos.
One of the key facilitators at the event, Mr. Ojo Balogun, founder of Leap Driving Academy, delivered a presentation on “Innovative Driver Training for Enhanced Road Safety.” In his lecture, Balogun stressed the importance of tailoring driver training methods to align with the different learning styles of trainees whether visual, auditory, or kinaesthetic. According to him, such adaptive training strategies significantly improve knowledge retention, sharpen driving competence, and ultimately enhance overall road safety.
To illustrate this, Balogun introduced an innovative demonstration using drunk-driving simulation goggles, which mimic the effects of varying blood alcohol concentration levels between 0.08 and 0.15. Volunteers from the audience were asked to perform simple coordination tasks, first without the goggles and then while wearing them. The results revealed stark differences in performance, vividly showing how alcohol consumption impairs reaction time, balance, and judgement.
Balogun explained that the exercise was not only engaging but also impactful in reinforcing the dangers of impaired driving. By providing trainers with such practical tools, he noted, the message of safe driving could be better communicated and retained among learners.
In his concluding remarks, Balogun called on all stakeholders government agencies, training institutions, private drivers, and transport unions to embrace adaptive and innovative approaches to driver training. He emphasised that prioritising driver education is key to reducing road crashes and fatalities, while also promoting efficiency and productivity within the state’s transport system.
“As Lagos continues to expand and urbanise, the pressures on road infrastructure and driver behaviour will only intensify,” he said. “This makes it even more critical to embrace modern, practical, and engaging training methods that ensure safety, efficiency, and economic growth.”
The workshop, which brought together trainers, regulators, and experts, served as a platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration towards safer roads. Participants collectively agreed that sustained investment in driver education is not just a safety measure but also a strategic tool for economic and social development in Lagos State.
