Slyvester Udom
Guest Editor
The Lagos State Government has intensified its efforts to improve road safety by impounding more than 200 unroadworthy vehicles in a sweeping operation across the city. The clampdown, led by the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) and other enforcement agencies, is part of an ongoing campaign to rid the roads of vehicles that pose safety risks to commuters and other road users.
According to officials, the vehicles were seized during spot checks and enforcement exercises conducted in key areas of the metropolis, targeting commercial and private vehicles found to be operating without proper maintenance, documentation, or roadworthiness certification.
“We cannot allow unsafe vehicles to continue endangering lives on our roads. This exercise is not only about enforcement, but about ensuring that road users in Lagos enjoy safer, more reliable transportation,” said the Commissioner for Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi.
Many of the impounded vehicles were reportedly in poor mechanical condition, lacking functional brakes, lights, or emissions control, while others were found operating with expired documents or without valid licenses.
The state government has reiterated that the operation will be sustained in the coming weeks, warning vehicle owners to ensure their cars meet all safety and regulatory standards or risk similar penalties. Authorities also urged Lagosians to report dangerous or dilapidated vehicles to the appropriate agencies.
The move has been welcomed by some residents who say stricter enforcement is long overdue, especially given the rising number of road accidents linked to poorly maintained vehicles.
