Nigerian motorists and commuters may soon face significantly stiffer penalties for traffic violations following the Senate’s passage of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Act (Amendment) Bill, 2026.
Details of the FRSC Amendment Act obtained by Pinnacle Daily, on Thursday, showed that fines for several offences were raised by up to 300 per cent.
The amended legislation, which is awaiting presidential assent, raises fines for several traffic offences by as much as 300 percent as part of efforts to improve road safety, discourage reckless driving and reduce road crashes.
Among the new provisions is a N50,000 fine for anyone found hawking, trading or preaching inside commercial buses.
Under the amended law, any person convicted of selling goods, conducting religious activities or engaging in trading inside public transport vehicles will be liable to the fine.
Lawmakers argued that such activities distract drivers and contribute to road accidents.
“Our roads have become marketplaces and crusade grounds. This cannot continue. The penalties must hurt enough to change behaviour,” one senator said during plenary.
Stiffer Penalties for Major Traffic Offences
The amendment also introduces tougher sanctions for a wide range of traffic offences.
Driving under the influence of alcohol or intoxicating drugs now attracts a N100,000 fine, up from N5,000, or a prison term of up to two years, or both.
Motorists who refuse to undergo a roadside breath test requested by FRSC officials based on reasonable suspicion will face a N50,000 fine, six months’ imprisonment, or both.
Failure to obey traffic lights, road signs, road markings or pavements will also attract a N100,000 fine, while speeding offences now carry the same penalty, replacing the previous N5,000 fine.
Reckless driving will equally attract a N100,000 fine, a prison term of up to two years, or both.
Other offences affected by the review include the use of mobile phones while driving, overloading, seatbelt violations and driving without a valid driver’s licence.
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The second schedule of the amended Act lists 52 traffic offences and their corresponding penalties.
The Senate said the review is intended to strengthen the FRSC’s enforcement powers, improve compliance with traffic regulations and enhance the safety of road users across the country.
The legislation is expected to have the greatest impact on transport operators and commuters in major cities such as Abuja and Lagos, where hawking and preaching inside commercial vehicles are widespread.
The FRSC has consistently argued that existing penalties are too lenient to deter offenders.
Lawmakers believe the tougher sanctions will encourage compliance with traffic laws and ultimately reduce crashes on Nigerian roads.
Esther Ososanya is an investigative journalist with Pinnacle Daily, reporting across health, business, environment, metro, Fct and crime. Known for her bold, empathetic storytelling, she uncovers hidden truths, challenges broken systems, and gives voice to overlooked Nigerians. Her work drives national conversations and demands accountability one powerful story at a time.