Olusegun ARIYO
Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA, has impounded 27 commercial and private vehicles during a coordinated enforcement operation targeting widespread violations of loading regulations across major roads in the state.
The early-morning exercise formed part of a renewed statewide crackdown on vehicle overloading, a practice authorities say has continued despite repeated warnings and public sensitisation campaigns.
Officials said the affected vehicles were found carrying excessive loads far beyond approved limits, with goods stacked inside passenger cabins, crammed into luggage compartments, and dangerously mounted on vehicle roofs. According to LASTMA, such practices severely reduce visibility, affect vehicle balance, and increase the risk of accidents, particularly on busy highways and inner-city routes.
Speaking on the operation, the General Manager of LASTMA, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, described overloading as a major threat to road safety, noting that it endangers not only the occupants of offending vehicles but also other road users.
“Overloading is a clear violation of traffic laws and a serious safety risk. When drivers block their rear view or destabilise their vehicles with excess goods, they put lives at risk,” Bakare-Oki said.
He lamented what he described as the growing culture of indiscriminate loading among commercial bus operators and some private motorists, including the transportation of scrap metals, bulky items, and perishable goods without regard for safety standards.
Bakare-Oki stressed that LASTMA would maintain a zero-tolerance approach to traffic violations that compromise safety, warning that enforcement actions would be sustained and intensified across the state.
“This agency will not relent. Any driver found flouting loading regulations or endangering public safety will face the full weight of the law,” he added.
LASTMA urged motorists to comply strictly with approved loading limits, ensure clear visibility while driving, and prioritise the roadworthiness of their vehicles at all times.
The agency also called on residents to support enforcement efforts by reporting vehicles suspected of dangerous overloading through its toll-free hotline.
LASTMA reaffirmed its commitment to enforcing traffic laws fairly and professionally, in line with the Lagos State Government’s broader goal of creating a safer, more orderly, and efficient transportation system across the state.
