Senate Approves ₦50,000 Fine for Hawking, Preaching in Commercial Buses, Raises Traffic Penalties

The Senate has passed the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Act (Amendment) Bill, 2026, introducing significantly tougher penalties for traffic offences across the country, including a ₦50,000 fine for hawking, trading or preaching inside commercial vehicles.

The legislation, which is awaiting presidential assent, also increases fines for several traffic violations by as much as 300 per cent, as lawmakers seek to strengthen road safety enforcement, improve compliance with traffic regulations and reduce road crashes nationwide.

Among the new provisions is a penalty of ₦50,000 or six months imprisonment, or both, for motorists who refuse to cooperate with FRSC officials during roadside breath tests conducted on reasonable suspicion.

Under the amended law, any person found hawking, trading or preaching inside a commercial vehicle commits an offence and, upon conviction, will be liable to a ₦50,000 fine.

Lawmakers said the measure was introduced to reduce distractions in public transport and enhance the safety of passengers and drivers.

The bill, titled Federal Road Safety Corps Act (Amendment), 2026 (HBs. 1401 & 1604 – For Concurrence), was first read in the Senate on July 1, 2026 before securing passage.

The amendment substantially increases penalties for driving under the influence of alcohol or intoxicating substances.

Under the new provisions, anyone found driving or attempting to drive while under the influence of alcohol or drugs above the prescribed legal limit, or to such an extent that they are incapable of proper control of a vehicle, faces a ₦100,000 fine, up to two years imprisonment, or both.

The previous penalty for the offence was ₦5,000.

The amended law also targets motorists who refuse to cooperate with FRSC officials during preliminary roadside breath tests.

Such offenders will now be liable to a ₦50,000 fine, six months imprisonment, or both if found guilty.

The provision empowers FRSC personnel to conduct breath tests where there is reasonable suspicion that a driver may be under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

The Senate also approved a sharp increase in penalties for common traffic violations.

Under the revised law, speed limit violations now attract a ₦100,000 fine, up from ₦5,000, reckless driving carries a ₦100,000 fine, up to two years imprisonment, or both as well as failure to obey traffic lights, road signs, pavement markings or traffic control devices now attracts a ₦100,000 fine.

The amendment contains a revised schedule of 52 traffic offences and their corresponding penalties.

Lawmakers argued during deliberations that existing sanctions had become inadequate in addressing persistent traffic violations and dangerous driving habits on Nigerian roads.

According to the Senate, the tougher penalties are designed to strengthen the enforcement powers of the FRSC, promote compliance with traffic regulations and improve road safety outcomes across the country.

If signed into law by President Bola Tinubu, the new provisions are expected to significantly affect motorists, commercial transport operators and commuters, particularly in major urban centres where roadside trading, hawking and preaching inside commercial buses are common practices.