The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) yesterday issued a statement expressing its powers under the relevant provisions of the Lagos State Traffic Laws of 2012 to impound any vehicle and apprehend recalcitrant motorists who contravene any section of the law.
The statement was issued during the express solidarity and sympathy over the death of 18 traffic officials of the agency that died in the line of duty in 2018 by LASTMA’s Chief Executive Officer, Chris Olakpe.
According to him,"contrary to misinformation in some sections of the media, the agency was fully empowered by law to make arrest where and when necessary."
He said thst the traffic laws of the state equipped officials of the agency with powers to arrest where appropriate and allow the alleged offender to pay the fine stipulated for the offence under the law.
He also state that the law allows for penalties for neglect of traffic directions, while disobeying traffic control personnel also attracts fines and impounding of vehicles.
According to him,
“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,”