LASTMA Impounds 27 Buses Over Overloading, Safety Violations in Lagos
In a Press statement released and make available to starnigerianews.com by Agency Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department, Alhaji Adeyemi Taofiq.
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has impounded 27 commercial and private vehicles for violating loading regulations and flouting established road safety standards across the state.
The vehicles were seized during an early-morning, coordinated enforcement exercise carried out as part of a statewide crackdown on the dangerous practice of vehicular overloading. The operation followed repeated warnings and public sensitisation campaigns by the agency.
According to LASTMA, the enforcement drive was conducted in line with the directive of the agency’s General Manager, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, amid growing concerns over the safety risks posed by overloaded vehicles on major highways and busy inner-city roads in Lagos.
Field reports from LASTMA officers revealed widespread non-compliance, particularly among commercial vehicle operators who were found transporting excessive loads, including bulky goods and perishable items. These items were reportedly crammed into luggage compartments and dangerously mounted on vehicle roofs, significantly obstructing rear visibility and compromising vehicle stability.
LASTMA noted that such practices severely impair drivers’ ability to respond to surrounding traffic, especially during overtaking, thereby increasing the likelihood of avoidable road accidents.
Speaking on the development, Mr. Bakare-Oki described vehicular overloading as a serious violation of Lagos State traffic laws and a major threat to public safety. He condemned what he termed the “unsightly and perilous” habit of overloading commercial buses, private cars and articulated vehicles with goods and scrap materials, stressing that the consequences often extend beyond the offending drivers to other road users.
The LASTMA boss reiterated the agency’s zero-tolerance policy toward traffic infractions that endanger lives and property, warning that enforcement actions would remain continuous, intensified and uncompromising.
LASTMA further urged motorists to strictly observe approved loading limits, ensure clear visibility at all times and prioritise vehicle roadworthiness in their daily operations.
The agency reaffirmed its commitment to enforcing traffic laws professionally and without bias, in line with the Lagos State Government’s goal of maintaining a safe, orderly and efficient transportation system.