The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has impounded 27 commercial and private vehicles across the state for violating loading regulations and endangering road safety.
The operation, conducted following sustained public sensitization efforts, forms part of the agency’s broader strategy to reduce road accidents linked to vehicular overloading and unsafe driving practices on Lagos roads.
The action was prompted by growing safety concerns over motorists’ persistent disregard for approved loading limits, despite repeated warnings issued through multiple public enlightenment channels.
The impounded vehicles, a mix of commercial buses and privately owned cars, were found to be operating in clear violation of prescribed safety standards.
According to the agency, reports and routine monitoring indicated that overloading had become increasingly common on major highways and inner-city routes, necessitating decisive intervention.
In a statement, the Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department, Adebayo Taofiq, said the vehicles were “impounded during a coordinated early-morning enforcement operation after repeated warnings issued through multiple public sensitization platforms,” adding that the offenders had clearly breached existing traffic and safety regulations.
The agency emphasized that the operation was designed not only to penalize offenders but also to deter similar violations and reinforce adherence to traffic laws across the state.
Commenting on the enforcement, General Manager Bakare-Oki described vehicular overloading as a serious traffic offence that compromises vehicle stability, obstructs driver visibility, and significantly increases the likelihood of road crashes.
He reaffirmed LASTMA’s mandate to ensure safe and orderly movement on Lagos roads, stressing that enforcement actions would remain firm and impartial.
The agency also issued a stern warning to motorists, particularly commercial vehicle operators, to comply strictly with approved loading capacities and safety standards, noting that disregard for traffic regulations would attract sanctions under existing laws.
LASTMA further stated that enforcement operations would be sustained and intensified where necessary, urging members of the public to report traffic violations through its toll-free hotline as the agency continues its efforts to safeguard lives and property on Lagos roads.
