LASG Begins Clampdown on Articulated Trucks Violating Third Mainland Bridge Restrictions
LAGOS — The Lagos State Government has begun strict enforcement of traffic restrictions on articulated vehicles and heavy-duty trucks plying the Third Mainland Bridge, with over 10 vehicles impounded during the initial phase of the operation.
The crackdown, which commenced over the weekend, was announced by the Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Transportation, Hon. Sola Giwa. He said the move is part of the state’s efforts to safeguard public infrastructure, ensure traffic safety, and enforce compliance with existing traffic laws.
According to Giwa, the government had issued repeated warnings, advisories, and engaged stakeholders over time to remind them of the restriction placed on articulated trucks weighing over 9 tonnes from using the Third Mainland Bridge. Despite these efforts, some operators have continued to flout the rules, posing danger to lives and compromising the structural integrity of the bridge.
“The Third Mainland Bridge is legally excluded from use by certain categories of heavy-duty vehicles,” he said. “This restriction is not new. It is embedded in our traffic regulations, and violators will face swift and firm consequences.”
He confirmed that the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has been fully mobilized to enforce the directive, and that impounded vehicles would not be released without penalties being imposed.
Giwa also revealed that the bridge has now been fitted with advanced surveillance systems, including high-definition speed cameras and monitoring tools that provide real-time tracking of vehicular movement. These technologies, he said, are part of Governor Sanwo-Olu’s broader strategy to modernize traffic enforcement and enhance public safety on major transport corridors.
“This operation is not a punitive measure but a necessary step to preserve one of Lagos’s most critical infrastructures,” Giwa added. “It’s about preventing accidents, reducing congestion, and avoiding long-term damage to the bridge.”
He warned logistics firms, fleet operators, and truck drivers to comply strictly with designated routes and times for heavy vehicle movement, adding that the state will no longer tolerate excuses or non-compliance.
“The window of leniency is now closed. Any truck found in violation will be impounded on the spot, and its operator sanctioned accordingly,” he said.
LASTMA has reportedly stepped up its monitoring and enforcement capacity to align with this directive. The agency says it is committed to restoring discipline and improving traffic flow across the state.
The public, especially those in the logistics and freight sector, have been urged to cooperate with enforcement officers and adhere to all traffic laws. The government emphasized that these measures are ultimately aimed at protecting the lives and property of all Lagos residents.
This enforcement campaign is part of the broader THEMES+ development agenda of the Sanwo-Olu administration, which includes reforms in traffic management, environment, education, technology, and security.
— Adebayo Taofiq
Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment
Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA)
