LASTMA - Traffic offenses, fines, and penalties

Lagos Traffic Law is specifically designed to protect road users, but at the same time, road users will have to suffer the consequences once they disregard the law. When it comes to keeping an accident-free record, putting everyone in check is crucial and the only way this can be done is by enforcing every law that has been stated by the government.

Under the Lagos State traffic law, certain offenses cost as much as N50,000 - quite a number compared to the minimum wage in Nigeria. In your most pleasurable interest, it is best you remain guarded and avoid paying such gruesome amount for an offense you could easily have avoided.

If you must know, there’s also a possibility of facing criminal prosecutions or getting sent to expensive State approved driving school. This article by Naijauto should educate you on what offense to avoid and what penalty you will have to face once you get in trouble with Lagos traffic offenses, fines, and penalties.

1. LASTMA fines for traffic offenses

Below is the comprehensive list of LASTMA fines and penalties for different types of traffic offenses in the state. In the section later, we also introduce your rights when dealing with a LASTMA official as well as other notes you should know about this department.

Make sure you know how much to pay for a traffic offense!

If you’re careful, you wouldn’t have to pay a dime for as long as possible, let the general safety of drivers begin with you.

>>> You can also refer to Lagos traffic rules and fines, signed by Sanwo Olu in 2019

2. Know your rights with a LASTMA official

The Lagos State Traffic Management (LASTMA) is designed to protect law-abiding road users and also, ensure that those who disregard any of its stipulations are made to face the consequences of their action. This way, everyone can become responsible with time. While the commission has the power to exercise certain responsibilities on motorists, it is not designed to empower the officials to harass, intimidate, exploit or make a lawbreaker out of any Lagos resident/stakeholder through the demanding of bribes or other crooked demands.

As a Lagosian, it is best to know what your rights are in order to save yourself from trouble when necessary. This articles carefully explains the powers of LASTMA officials and how you can file a complaint against an overly intimidating one.

Are LASTMA officials empowered to arrest?

Just like other law enforcement agents, LASTMA officials have been empowered to arrest suspected individuals who commit a road offense. While they have the power to do so, you can also take the necessary steps to avoid the arrest. It's either you take full responsibility and pay the summary fine, or you can challenge the accusation and request for a trial by a competent court.

LASTMA is an official unit to enforce the traffic law

Note: LASTMA officials are not empowered to detain an individual, they can only arrest. So if you get arrested by one, and the charge seems unreasonable, the official must do one of the following:

• Take you to a police station to be detained while you await the court session.
• Immediately present you before a trusted court (probably a Traffic Court or Special Offences court).

In Section 35 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria, there's a Right to Personal Liberty guaranteed; any powers of arrest exercised by LASTMA officials are subject to this law. Specifically, it concerns the right of any individual to a legal practitioner, as well as the right to be presented before a court within a reasonable period. Owing to the fact that your right to personal liberty should not be trampled upon, if you believe you’ve been cheated in one way or another, and would like to seek redress, kindly contact a trusted legal practitioner.

>>> Know the authority of LASTMA: LASTMA didn't create the law, we enforce it - LASTMA

Can LASTMA conduct tests for intoxication?

LASTMA officials can carry out tests for blood, breath, urine as well as the alcohol level of a driver. Currently, LASTMA officials have not been exercising this power as there are no laws that have affected the use of breath testing equipment by LASTMA. Notwithstanding, if they had to follow approved international standards, they have to take the following steps:

1. Confine the individual in question.
2. Inform the individual about the test that will be conducted.
3. Just in case the individual objects to the test, the LASTMA official can obtain a court order or warrant in order to conduct the test through force.
4. In a case of no objection, the LASTMA official would delegate a qualified medical practitioner to conduct the necessary test(s).
5. As soon as the test results are out, the LASTMA official will inform the individual about the confirmation of alcohol or will release the individual if found innocent.

Be aware that the conduction of this test - obtaining of blood, breath, and urine samples, encroaches on your Fundamental Human Rights, so if you believe a LASTMA official hasn’t done right by you, contact your lawyer or better still, file a report.

>>> Don't fall victim to these unscrupulous criminals! Beware: fake LASTMA Officials now on Lagos roads!

If LASTMA has certain rights to halt you, you have rights to legal complaints as well

How to file complaint against a LASTMA official

If you’re willing to establish your dissatisfaction regarding the conduct or activities of a LASTMA official during the exercise of his/her functions, these are the steps to follow:

1. Note down the LASTMA official’s name on their uniform.
2. Take note of the time, date, and place of the incident.
3. Write a detailed letter describing the purpose of your complaint and what transpired
4. Have the witnesses (if any) write a statement.
5. Include all contact information of the involved on the correspondence.
6. Provide additional information like videos, pictures, or any document that can support your claims.
7. Send it to LASTMA Command Center email: info@lastma.gov.ng
8. To deliver your complaint in person or by post at, take it to Public Relation Unit, LSTC Building, Oshodi Apapa Express Way, Ilupeju, Lagos state.
9. Get the confirmation of receipt of the complaint
10. Without receiving an unsatisfactory response, you should refer the issue to the Public Complaints Commission by the process laid out here.

>>> Further details at: Powers of LASTMA and how to file complaint against a LASTMA official

LASTMA official caught taking bribe from motorist

3. Conclusion

The rules aren’t that difficult to obey, you can save your time by just doing the needful. At the same time, do not hesitate to report any case of an extorting LASTMA official, your actions will serve as a check and balance for the commission as well.

With this information, hope you are more aware on roads to avoid LASTMA traffic offenses, fines, and penalties and how your rights as well as how to react to LASTMA officials.

>>> Read more driving tips and advice on Naijauto.com!