Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has restated its powers under the provisions of Lagos State Traffic Laws of 2012 (as amended) to impound any vehicle and arrest recalcitrant motorists who contravene the law.
LASTMA’s chief executive officer, Chris Olakpe, said this on Thursday as he received the Humanitarian Voluntary Association for Community Development who visited the agency to show solidarity and sympathy over 18 LASTMA officials who died on duty in 2018.
Mr Olakpe said that contrary to misinformation in some sections of the media, the agency was fully empowered by law to make arrest where and when necessary.
Olakpe, a retired Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG), said the traffic laws of the state equips LASTMA officials to arrest where appropriate and allow the alleged offender to pay the fine stipulated for the offence under the law.
He also said the law allows for penalties for neglect of traffic directions, and that disobeying traffic control personnel also attracts fines and impounding of vehicles.
“One thing the people must know is that the purpose of laws in any state is to regulate human conduct and punish violators, to ensure safety and sanity on the roads and at the same time regulate the function and authority of traffic personnel.
“Just from January 2019 till date, over 30 traffic officials have been brutalized by ill-tempered motorists and as an Agency, we owe it to our officials and their families the responsibility of ensuring their security and safety while performing their duties,” Olakpe said.
He also said the state traffic officials will soon commence another round of training on civility, politeness and protocol of arrest that would lay emphasis on respect for members of the public.
