LASTMA impounds 84 vehicles, overcomes resistance, attacks

LASTMA officers during the enforcement. CREDIT: LASTMA

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority has intensified its enforcement operations across identified traffic flashpoints in the state, impounding 84 commercial and private vehicles for various traffic infractions.

The General Manager of LASTMA, Mr Olalekan Bakare-Oki, said this in a statement on Sunday in Lagos.

Bakare-Oki said the enforcement exercise took place at Idumota, Iddo, Ijora-Olopa, Costain and Onipanu.

“The enforcement exercise was principally aimed at restoring sanity, orderliness and strict compliance with extant traffic regulations.

“This is particularly along corridors where persistent violations by recalcitrant motorists and commercial bus operators have continued to pose a formidable threat to road safety and the unhindered movement of traffic,” he said.

He noted that the increasingly perilous practice of commercial buses reversing against traffic along the one-way stretch from Iddo back to Idumota through Carter Bridge was of grave concern to the agency.

He described the practice as an irresponsible manoeuvre capable of catching unsuspecting motorists, commuters and pedestrians completely unawares.

“This can create an extremely hazardous situation with the potential to precipitate devastating collisions, injuries and fatalities,” he said.

He said the enforcement operation, however, encountered resistance from some individuals, during which LASTMA personnel were physically assaulted and injured while carrying out their statutory responsibilities.

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The LASTMA boss said some of the miscreants and hoodlums who attacked and damaged the agency’s operational vehicles during the enforcement exercise were apprehended.

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

He said such practices constituted serious impediments to effective traffic management and posed considerable risks to public safety.

The general manager emphasised that the sustained enforcement campaign was aimed at securing compliance with extant traffic regulations.

He said it was also intended to deter hazardous driving practices and safeguard the lives and property of motorists, commuters, pedestrians and other road users.

LASTMA consequently admonished 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 infractions would attract appropriate enforcement measures in accordance with extant Lagos State traffic laws.