The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has impounded 27 commercial and private vehicles across Lagos for violating loading regulations and road safety standards.
The agency announced the development on Thursday in a statement issued by its Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment, Adebayo Taofiq, and shared on its official X handle.
According to LASTMA, the vehicles were seized during an early-morning, coordinated enforcement operation, conducted following repeated public warnings and sensitisation campaigns.
“The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority has launched a statewide enforcement initiative to curb the pervasive and hazardous practice of vehicular overloading, as part of its commitment to enhancing road safety and ensuring strict compliance with traffic regulations,” the statement said.
The operation was carried out under the directive of LASTMA General Manager, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, in response to rising concerns about the risks posed by overloaded vehicles on major roads and densely trafficked inner-city routes.
Field assessments by LASTMA officers revealed widespread unsafe practices among motorists, particularly commercial vehicle operators, who frequently burden their vehicles with bulky goods and perishable items, often stacked precariously atop roofs or stored improperly in luggage compartments.
“These practices obstruct visibility, destabilise vehicles, and significantly increase the risk of road crashes,” the agency warned.
Bakare-Oki described vehicular overloading as a serious violation of traffic laws, noting that it endangers both offenders and other road users. He condemned the overloading of commercial buses, private cars, and articulated vehicles, reiterating that LASTMA’s zero-tolerance stance on traffic infractions would remain firm.
LASTMA urged motorists to comply strictly with approved loading capacities and prioritise safety. The agency also encouraged the public to report vehicles violating loading limits via its toll-free hotline: 0800-005-27862.
“The Agency remains committed to enforcing traffic laws professionally and without prejudice, and enforcement actions will be sustained and intensified,” the statement added.
