By Austin Ogwuda
Delta State Traffic Management Authority (DESTMA), as from the 1st of July, 2025, may send an erring motorist or Keke operator in Delta State to a Psychiatrist hospital for medical evaluation if he or she becomes violent during arrest.
In addition, such an offender risks 6 months imprisonment with hard labour upon arraignment before a mobile court without option of fine
This is part of 80 traffic regulations, some of them familiar while some not heard of before which would come into effect on that day.
Below are the traffic regulations
1. It is unlawful to drive without valid driver license
2. Keke and Vehicles should not park illegally
3. All Keke must not have side covers or welding or metals at the back or top of the keke
4. No Keke is allowed to carry load beyond manufacturer’s specification.
5. All trucks carrying sand and gravel must cover their products with tarpaulin properly
6. Banks are by this notice advised to provide adequate parking space for their customers.
7. All private markets must register with DESTMA
8. All trucks discharging any kind of goods that may cause traffic gridlock on the road must take
9. No Keke or Okada should move beyond 10pm
10. Keke and mini bus plying roads should clear off the road completely when they want to pick or drop passengers.
11. Fighting of DESTMA’s officers attract 6 months imprisonment with hard labor through mobile court Judgment
12. All Motorists must obey road traffic signs
13. Driving without seat belt is not allowed.
14. Use of phone while driving is not allowed
15. No trading on the road walk way/gutter.
16. No illegal U-turn is allowed
17. No over speeding
18. No driver is allowed to carry little baby in his or her hand while driving.
19. No eating while driving.
20. No smoking while driving
21. No Keke is allowed to ply the expressway/highway
22. All trucks parking along market road and other road should seek DESTMA permission before doing so
23. All Okada Riders should put on protective crash helmet irrespective of the nature of the bike whether ladies bike or commercial bike.
24. All road shows/advertisement and political champaign by any persons or group of persons for whatsoever reasons must seek permission from DESTMA.
25. All broken down/abandoned vehicles on the road should quickly be removed by the owner otherwise it will be towed by DESTMA at the owner’s expenses.
26. All trucks parked on the road and discharging goods should notify DESTMA before doing so to avert traffic gridlock.
27. All filling stations should provide adequate space for their customers to avert vehicles encroaching the road.
28. All OKADA/KEKE and Vehicles should not exceed approved speed limit
29. No wrong overtaking while driving on the road
30. No drunkard is allowed to drive
31. No driving against traffic
32. All fairly used/Belgium Car dealers must register their business name with DESTMA
33. All private transport company must regreteDESTMA 34. It is unlawful to throw out trash from moving stationary vetus
35 All organize transport company such as LIBER, BOLT must register with DESTMA
36 No park beit private or government road.
37. No trader in both government or private market is allowed to trade on the walk way
38. All trucks/trailers should move out of the road into approved trailer pack provided for them
39. All flyover within the State must be free from hoodlums and trading activities
40. Keke, Motor bike are not allowed to use the flyover
41. All Towing Van must register with DESTMA
42. All Driving School operating in Detta State must register with DESTMA and renew their licenses promptly every year.
43. Teaching or Learning Driving by unauthorized (Certified persons) is not allowed.
44. No vehicle is allowed to use Siren unless permitted by law. Any one who wishes to use such should contact the Nigeria police Force (NPE)
45. Persons below 18 years old is not allowed to drive a Vehicle/Motor, Bika Keke
46. Use of fake number plates is an offence
47. All learners must be accompanied by a licensed driving instructor.
48. All Learners must carry their learners permit while driving.
49. Installation of musical gadgets on a motorcycle is unlawful.
50. Attempting to corrupt DESTMA Officers is an offence.
51. Fluorescent light in any Okada, Truck vehicle or Keke at Night is not allowed
52. No overloading
53. Offloading of sand/Granite by tipper on the side of the road is not allowed
54. NO illegal parking by transporters or Vehicle owners
55. Learner-Driver must have permit
56. It is unlawful to drive an un-registered vehicle
57. All vehicles at night clubs/lounge/bars and restaurant must keep off the road, failure to adhere is will be subject to fine.
58. It is unlawful to drive a vehicle with unauthorised or defective number plate
59. It is unlawful to drive vehicle while the door is open especially by commercial bus
60. It is unlawful to drive a vehicle with excessive smoke emission
61. Violent road traffic offenders may be subjected to medical psychiatric evaluation in Government Hospital
62. All road users (Drivers) should obey Zebra Crossing where it is placed.
63. Failure to give way to traffic on the left side at a round-about amount to traffic offence.
64. Driving against traffic is illegal.
65. Installation of musical gadget on motor bike/keke is not allowed. For those using it for advert should contact the nearest DESTMA office for permission.
66. Motor bike using horn design for vehicle is unlawful.
67. Tailgating an emergency vehicle is unlawful
68. Slow moving vehicle must keep to right lane.
69. Only two inches pipe is approve by DESTMA for protection at the back of Keke across the State
70. Driving in a direction prohibited by law is a traffic offence.
71. Driving on the walkway or kerb is unlawful
72. Parking on the walk way or kerb is unlawful
73. It is unlawful for bullion vans to drive in direction prohibited by law
74. Commuters or conduct hanging on the tail board of a moving vehicle is unlawful
75. Distracted driving such as use of phone is unlawful
76. Failure to display reflective warning signs at place where a vehicle breakdown is a traffic offence
77. Failure to pay traffic offence penalty at appropriate time attracts additional penalty.
78. Driving under the influence of alcohol/drug is a traffic offence.
79. All private market must provide adequate parking space for their customers
80. All private school/churches and mosque must provide adequate parking space for their customers
Failure to abide or keep to the above laws on road traffic may amount to the offender to be subjected to mobile court sitting and subsequently sentenced to 6 months imprisonment without fine.
