LASTMA impounds 84 vehicles as miscreants attack personnel

LASTMA control room. Credit: LASTMA

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority has impounded 84 commercial and private vehicles for various traffic violations during a weekend enforcement operation across Idumota, Iddo, Ijora-Olopa, Costain and Onipanu areas of the state.

The agency also said some of its personnel were assaulted and injured by suspected miscreants who resisted the enforcement operation.

The Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department, LASTMA, Adebayo Taofiq, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday.

He said the enforcement was carried out to restore order and ensure compliance with traffic regulations, particularly along corridors where persistent violations by motorists and commercial bus operators had affected traffic flow and road safety.

Taofiq said the agency was particularly concerned about commercial buses reversing against traffic along the one-way stretch from Iddo to Idumota through Cater Bridge.

He said such a practice posed a serious danger to other road users, as motorists approaching the bridge might have little or no warning that a vehicle was unlawfully reversing against the flow of traffic.

“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 stated.

According to Taofiq, some individuals resisted the enforcement, during which LASTMA personnel were physically assaulted and injured.

He added that some suspected miscreants who allegedly attacked the officials and damaged operational vehicles were apprehended.

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

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

He said such practices obstructed effective traffic management and posed risks to public safety.

According to him, the sustained enforcement campaign was aimed at ensuring compliance with traffic regulations, discouraging hazardous driving practices and protecting motorists, commuters, pedestrians and other road users.

Bakare-Oki, he added, 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.

LASTMA consequently warned commercial bus operators, motorists, transport unions and other stakeholders to desist from driving against traffic, dangerous reversing, illegal parking, indiscriminate loading and occupying unauthorised garages or under-bridge locations.

Taofiq said further infractions would attract appropriate enforcement measures in accordance with Lagos State traffic laws.

He urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report dangerous driving, traffic obstructions, reckless motorists and other traffic violations through the LASTMA toll-free short code, 3367.