Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, has warned commuters against defending erring drivers arrested by its officers and men.

Its Chief Executive Officer, Chris Olakpe, who gave the warning, said passengers were fond of supporting and defending erring motorists apprehended by LASTMA personnel.

“We will hence forth arrest and prosecute such passengers for assault and obstruction of legal duty.

“Lagos residents and passengers have penchants for defending drivers’ iniquities.

“People should not interfere with law enforcement. The driver must be left to face the consequences of his actions,’’ he said.

Olakpe, a former Assistant Inspector General of Police appealed to residents of the state to cooperate with the authority’s personnel on duty.

According to him, the authority has purpose-driven personnel whose main duty is to curb traffic intelligently.

Olakpe said the authority had created a new culture of traffic management by being civil and polite, saying LASTMA would also not let its erring personnel go unpunished.

“Any official who misbehaves on the road will not go unpunished; the authority will not treat the issue with levity.’’