LASTMA impounds 84 vehicles in Lagos traffic crackdown

Officers injured as hoodlums resist enforcement

By Adebola Muili

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has impounded 84 commercial and private vehicles for various traffic violations during a weekend enforcement operation at major traffic flashpoints across the state.

The agency disclosed this in a statement issued by its Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department, Adebayo Taofiq, on Sunday, following the enforcement exercise at Idumota, Iddo, Ijora-Olopa, Costain and Onipanu.

According to the statement, the operation was targeted at curbing one-way driving, illegal parking, indiscriminate loading and the use of under-bridge spaces, road setbacks and other unauthorised locations as illegal garages.

LASTMA said the exercise was also necessitated by persistent traffic violations by some motorists and commercial bus operators, particularly along corridors where such practices have continued to threaten road safety and the free flow of traffic.

The agency identified the practice of commercial buses reversing against traffic from Iddo towards Idumota through Cater Bridge as a major concern, warning that the manoeuvre could endanger unsuspecting motorists, commuters and pedestrians.

“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,” LASTMA said, noting that the practice could result in collisions, injuries and fatalities.

The enforcement operation was, however, met with resistance in some areas, with LASTMA personnel physically assaulted and injured while carrying out their duties.

The agency also said some suspected miscreants who attacked its officers and damaged operational vehicles during the exercise were apprehended.

The General Manager of LASTMA, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, described the enforcement as a necessary intervention to curb what he termed a growing culture of impunity among some road users and restore discipline along critical traffic corridors.

Bakare-Oki said the agency had repeatedly cautioned transport operators, commercial bus drivers and other road users against using under-bridge spaces, road setbacks and unauthorised locations as illegal garages.

He stressed that such practices impede effective traffic management and pose risks to public safety, adding 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.

The General Manager said the sustained enforcement campaign was aimed at ensuring compliance with traffic regulations, deterring hazardous driving practices and safeguarding motorists, commuters, pedestrians and other road users.

LASTMA 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.

The agency warned that further violations would attract appropriate enforcement measures in accordance with Lagos State traffic laws.

It also urged members of the public to report dangerous driving, traffic obstructions, reckless motorists and other traffic-related violations through its toll-free short code, 3367, to enable prompt intervention and prevent avoidable incidents on the state’s road network.