Driver wasn’t asked to pay N60,000 because his car ran out of fuel – LASTMA

The said vehicle

Lagos State Traffic Management Authority,has debunked online publication which stated that the agency asked a driver to pay N60,000 after his car ran out of fuel.

A statement issued on Thursday, October 14, by the Assistant Director, Public Affairs LASTMA, Filade Olumide and titled: ‘RE: LASTMA ASKS LAGOS DRIVER TO PAY N60,000 AFTER HIS CAR RAN OUT OF FUEL’, described the online publication as a “mischievous and a calculated attempt for public sympathy in order to avoid justice.” 

According to Olumide, LASTMA has not committed any illegality by impounding a vehicle abandoned on the road and causing wilful obstruction which is an offence in the law.

He further explained that the said N60,000 fine is broken down into Wilful Obstruction, fifty thousand naira, and Towing fee of ten thousand naira as specified in the Lagos State Transport Law of 2018

“The Lagos State Traffic Law as enacted and amended by the Lagos State House of Assembly as regards the above is an unfounded allegation against the Lagos State Traffic Management Authourity (LASTMA)” the statement read. 

“According to the report, allowing fuel to be exhausted in one’s vehicle on the highway does not show responsibility. LASTMA has not committed any illegality by impounding a vehicle abandoned on the road and causing wilful obstruction which is an offence in the law

“It should be noted that LASTMA will not be irresponsible as to leave such vehicle on the road, so as not to disturb other road users, while the said sixty-thousand-naira (=N=60,000.00) fine is broken down into Wilful Obstruction – fifty thousand naira (=N=50,000.00) and Towing fee – ten thousand naira (=N=10,000.00) as specified in the Lagos State Transport Law of 2018. This does not amount to an arbitrary imposition of fine

“The agency will not allow any person to constitute a nuisance to other road users in whatever form, as road users are expected to be responsible in maintaining their vehicles and have consideration for other road users. Imagine if all other road users are also allowed to act against the law, what would become of Lagos traffic?

“Fines and penalties are meant to serve as deterrent against another occurrence and for others to learn from. Government cannot afford to fail law abiding citizens of the State. Let us all join hands together for a greater Lagos.”