The Senate has passed an amendment bill to the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Act, proposing tougher penalties for various traffic offences in a bid to improve road safety and strengthen compliance with traffic regulations across Nigeria.
Newsonspot reports that a key provision of the bill recommends a ₦100,000 fine for motorists who fail to obey traffic lights, road signs, road markings, or other traffic control devices.
The proposed amendment also introduces a ₦50,000 fine for individuals found hawking, trading, or preaching inside commercial buses.
In addition, the bill seeks to impose stricter sanctions on motorists who drive under the influence of alcohol or intoxicating drugs. If the legislation is signed into law, offenders could face a ₦100,000 fine, up to two years’ imprisonment, or both, replacing the current ₦5,000 penalty contained in the existing FRSC Act.
Drivers who refuse to cooperate with FRSC officials during roadside breath tests conducted on reasonable suspicion of intoxication would also be liable to a ₦50,000 fine, a six-month jail term, or both.
The amendment further proposes tougher penalties for speeding and reckless driving. Speed limit violations would attract a ₦100,000 fine, while dangerous driving could result in a ₦100,000 fine, imprisonment for up to two years, or both, depending on the severity of the offence.
Lawmakers said the amendment is aimed at modernising the FRSC Act, strengthening the agency’s enforcement powers, and encouraging greater compliance with traffic laws to reduce road accidents and improve safety on Nigerian roads.
The bill is yet to become law, as it still requires presidential assent before the proposed penalties and enforcement measures can take effect nationwide.
