LASTMA: Technology devices tracked 38,000 traffic violators across Lagos in three months

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) said its technology-based law enforcement system recorded about 38,000 traffic violations across the state during the second quarter of 2026, underscoring the agency’s increasing reliance on digital surveillance to improve compliance with traffic regulations.

LASTMA General Manager, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, disclosed this while speaking with journalists in Lagos on Sunday, noting that the agency also arrested over 3,000 motorists through conventional law enforcement operations in the same period.

According to him, officers in the field focus on drivers who commit violations that hinder the smooth flow of traffic, including careless parking, not using designated bus stops, and other violations.

He explained that physical action also targets motorists who are found driving against the flow of traffic, using Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridors illegally, and not obeying seat belt rules.

Bakare-Oki said the agency has gradually shifted its law enforcement strategy from manual operations to technology-based monitoring, which has significantly increased the number of traffic violators detected.

“LASTMA is trying to move from physical law enforcement to technology-based law enforcement, and that’s why we arrested more vehicles with technology in the second quarter of this year,” he said.

The LASTMA boss explained that once sufficient evidence is obtained against motorists who commit offenses through the Traffic Management Solutions device, the agency will serve a court warrant to the vehicle owner for prosecution.

“After a court order, they were taken to the Lagos District Court. Only the District Court has the right to sentence or impose a fine.

“Motorists who choose not to appear in court after receiving a court order may complete a waiver form at the LASTMA Legal Department, waiving their right to litigate upon payment of the prescribed fine.

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“We encourage them to appear at the Lagos District Court to receive a fair hearing,” he said.

Bakare-Oki urged motorists to obey traffic rules, stressing that compliance with road rules remains critical to improving safety and reducing congestion in Lagos.

He also disclosed that the state government had commenced coordinated enforcement and cleaning operations along the Lagos-Badagry Expressway following directives issued by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu during the last monthly environmental sanitation exercise.

According to him, the exercise involved several government agencies working together to restore order and improve the condition of the main transportation corridor.

“He ordered that all relevant agencies should clear the Lagos-Badagry Expressway.

“These agencies include LASTMA, Lagos State Waste Management Authority, Lagos State Strike Against Indiscipline, IRS Task Force, and Lagos State Ministry of Environment.

“This started last week. The aim is to clear rubbish, remove vehicles and other burdens on the road,” said Bakare-Oki.