By Olasunkanmi Akoni
LAGOS — The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA, has impounded 84 commercial and private vehicles for various traffic offences during a comprehensive enforcement operation across identified traffic flashpoints in the state.
The exercise, conducted at the weekend around Idumota, Iddo, Ijora-Olopa, Costain and Onipanu, was aimed at restoring order and ensuring compliance with traffic regulations, particularly along corridors where persistent violations by motorists and commercial bus operators have affected the free flow of traffic.
LASTMA General Manager, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, said the agency was particularly concerned about the practice of commercial buses reversing against traffic along the one-way stretch from Iddo to Idumota through Cater Bridge.
According to him, the practice posed serious risks to motorists, commuters and pedestrians using the corridor.
“Motorists and other legitimate road users approaching the bridge may have little or no forewarning that a commercial vehicle is unlawfully reversing against the prescribed direction of traffic, thereby creating an extremely hazardous situation with the potential to precipitate devastating collisions, injuries and fatalities,” he said.
Miscreants attack officers
The enforcement operation, however, reportedly met resistance from some individuals, with LASTMA personnel assaulted and injured while carrying out their duties.
Bakare-Oki confirmed that some alleged miscreants who attacked officers and damaged the agency’s operational vehicles during the exercise were apprehended.
He said the enforcement had become necessary to curb what he described as a growing culture of impunity among some road users and restore discipline along critical traffic corridors.
The LASTMA boss said the agency had repeatedly cautioned transport operators, commercial bus drivers and other road users against using under-bridge spaces, road setbacks and other unauthorised locations as illegal garages.
“We have repeatedly cautioned transport operators, commercial bus drivers and other road users against occupying under-bridge spaces, road setbacks and unauthorised locations as illegal garages as such practices constitute serious impediments to effective traffic management and pose considerable risks to public safety,” he said.
Bakare-Oki said LASTMA would sustain its enforcement campaign to secure compliance with traffic regulations, deter hazardous driving practices and protect the lives and property of motorists, commuters, pedestrians and other road users.
He warned that no individual or group would be allowed to appropriate public roads, bridges or under-bridge spaces for illegal loading, parking, vehicle repairs or garage operations.
He consequently urged commercial bus operators, motorists, transport unions and other stakeholders to desist from one-way driving, dangerous reversing, illegal parking, indiscriminate loading and the occupation of unauthorised garages or under-bridge locations.
He warned that further violations would attract appropriate enforcement measures in accordance with extant Lagos State traffic laws.
The LASTMA boss also urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report dangerous driving, traffic obstructions, reckless motorists and other traffic-related offences through the agency’s toll-free short code, 3367, to enable prompt intervention and prevent avoidable incidents on the state’s road network.
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