The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has impounded 27 commercial and private vehicles during a coordinated enforcement operation targeting widespread violations of loading regulations on major roads across the state.
The early-morning exercise was part of a renewed statewide crackdown on vehicle overloading, a practice authorities say has persisted despite repeated warnings and public sensitisation campaigns.
Officials disclosed that the affected vehicles were carrying 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 obstruct visibility, affect vehicle balance and significantly increase the risk of accidents on highways and inner-city roads.
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 both occupants of offending vehicles and 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 expressed concern over 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 the agency would maintain a zero-tolerance stance on traffic violations that compromise safety, warning that enforcement activities would be sustained and intensified across Lagos 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 strictly comply 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 suspected cases 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 goal of promoting a safer, more orderly and efficient transportation system across the state.
Elijah Adeyemi
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