Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA, talk say dem impound 84 commercial and private vehicles during weekend crackdown on traffic violations for Idumota, Iddo, Ijora-Olopa, Costain and Onipanu.
The operation target offences like driving against traffic, illegal parking and use of unauthorised locations as garages, according to statement by LASTMA Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment, Adebayo Taofiq.
LASTMA say dem particularly concern about commercial buses wey dey reverse against traffic on the one-way stretch from Iddo to Idumota via Cater Bridge. The agency warn say the practice fit endanger motorists, commuters and pedestrians.
For statement, LASTMA talk: ‘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.’
LASTMA also say some people resist the operation. Officers were assaulted and injured while carrying out their duties. Several people suspected of attacking officers and damaging agency vehicles were arrested.
The agency General Manager, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, describe the exercise as a ‘necessary and long-overdue intervention’ to tackle wetin him call growing culture of impunity among some road users.
Bakare-Oki say LASTMA don repeatedly warn transport operators and drivers against using spaces beneath bridges, road setbacks and other unauthorised locations as garages. He say the practice dey obstruct traffic management and pose risks to public safety.
The agency warn say no individual or group go be allowed to use public roads, bridges or under-bridge spaces for illegal loading, parking, vehicle repairs or garage operations. It urge drivers and transport operators to stop driving against traffic, reversing dangerously, parking illegally and loading passengers indiscriminately.
