The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA, has impounded 84 commercial and private vehicles for various traffic violations during a major enforcement operation carried out at key traffic-prone locations across the state.
The weekend operation covered Idumota, Iddo, Ijora-Olopa, Costain and Onipanu, with the agency targeting areas where repeated violations by motorists and commercial bus operators have continued to disrupt the smooth movement of traffic.
LASTMA General Manager, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, said the agency was particularly concerned about commercial buses driving against traffic and reversing unlawfully along the one-way section between Iddo and Idumota through Cater Bridge.
He warned that the practice posed significant danger to motorists, commuters and pedestrians using the route.
“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.
The enforcement operation was met with resistance in some locations, with some LASTMA officers reportedly assaulted and injured while carrying out their duties.
Bakare-Oki confirmed that suspected miscreants who allegedly attacked the officers and damaged operational vehicles belonging to the agency were arrested during the exercise.
He said the continued enforcement was necessary to address what he described as a growing disregard for traffic regulations and restore order along major traffic corridors.
The LASTMA general manager also said the agency had repeatedly warned transport operators, commercial bus drivers and other road users against converting under-bridge areas, road setbacks and other unauthorised spaces into 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 assured that LASTMA would continue its enforcement operations to improve compliance with traffic regulations, discourage dangerous driving practices and safeguard motorists, commuters, pedestrians and other road users.
He stressed that public roads, bridges and spaces beneath bridges would not be allowed to be used for illegal loading, parking, vehicle repairs or garage operations.
The LASTMA boss consequently advised commercial bus operators, motorists, transport unions and other stakeholders to avoid driving against traffic, dangerous reversing, illegal parking, indiscriminate loading and the use of unauthorised areas as garages or loading points.
He warned that offenders would face appropriate sanctions in line with existing Lagos State traffic laws.
Bakare-Oki also called on residents to report dangerous driving, traffic obstructions, reckless motorists and other violations through LASTMA’s toll-free short code, 3367, to facilitate swift intervention and help prevent avoidable incidents on the state’s road network.
LASTMA impounds 84 vehicles over traffic violations in Lagos