Senate Passes FRSC Amendment Bill Banning Preaching, Hawking Inside Commercial Vehicles as Drunk Drivers Risk 2-Year Jail

• Senate passes FRSC (Amendment) Bill, 2026, banning hawking, trading, and preaching inside commercial vehicles, pending presidential assent

• Drunk driving penalty increased to ₦100,000 fine, up to two years’ imprisonment, or both, while refusal of roadside breath tests attracts stiffer sanctions

• Speeding, reckless driving, and disobedience to traffic lights, road signs, and other traffic control devices now attract ₦100,000 penalties

• Amendment strengthens FRSC enforcement powers by introducing tougher sanctions for 52 traffic offences aimed at improving road safety and reducing road crashes nationwide

July 16, () — The Senate on Thursday passed the Federal Road Safety Corps (Amendment) Bill, 2026, introducing sweeping reforms to Nigeria’s road traffic laws, including a ban on hawking, trading, and preaching inside commercial vehicles, as well as tougher penalties for drunk driving, speeding, reckless driving, and other traffic offences.

The bill, which is awaiting presidential assent, substantially revises the penalty regime under the Federal Road Safety Corps Act by imposing stiffer sanctions for offenders in a bid to improve compliance with road safety regulations, strengthen the enforcement powers of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), and reduce road crashes across the country.

Ban on Hawking, Trading, and Preaching

Among the most significant provisions of the amendment is a ban on hawking, trading, and preaching inside commercial vehicles.

Under the proposed law, any person found engaging in any of the prohibited activities 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 minimise distractions that could interfere with drivers’ concentration and endanger passengers, noting that commercial vehicles should remain free from activities capable of compromising safety.

The amendment also imposes much tougher sanctions on motorists who drive under the influence of alcohol or intoxicating drugs.

The penalty has been increased from ₦5,000 to ₦100,000, while offenders now risk up to two years’ imprisonment or both the fine and imprisonment.

Lawmakers noted that the previous punishment no longer reflected present-day realities and had failed to serve as an effective deterrent against impaired driving, one of the major causes of fatal road crashes.

To strengthen enforcement against impaired driving, the bill empowers FRSC personnel to conduct preliminary roadside breath tests where there is reasonable suspicion that a motorist is under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Any driver who refuses to cooperate with officials during such roadside tests will, upon conviction, be liable to a ₦50,000 fine, six months’ imprisonment, or both.

The lawmakers said the provision would prevent motorists from evading lawful roadside checks and improve the effectiveness of traffic law enforcement.

The legislation also significantly raises penalties for several other traffic violations. Motorists who exceed prescribed speed limits will now face a ₦100,000 fine, replacing the previous ₦5,000 penalty.

Similarly, reckless driving now attracts a ₦100,000 fine, up to two years’ imprisonment, or both.

Drivers who fail to obey traffic lights, road signs, pavement markings, and other traffic control devices will also be liable to a ₦100,000 fine upon conviction.

The Senate believes the tougher sanctions will encourage greater compliance with traffic laws and reduce the incidence of dangerous driving on Nigerian roads.

The amended legislation contains an updated schedule of 52 traffic offences and their corresponding penalties, representing one of the most comprehensive reviews of Nigeria’s road safety laws in recent years.

According to lawmakers, the review is designed to modernise the country’s traffic regulations, provide more effective deterrence against violations, and equip the FRSC with stronger legal tools to enforce road safety standards.

If assented to by President Bola Tinubu, the new law will replace several outdated fines and penalties that lawmakers argued no longer reflect prevailing economic conditions or adequately discourage traffic offenders.

The Senate expressed optimism that the amendment would improve road discipline, enhance commuter safety, strengthen public confidence in traffic law enforcement, and contribute significantly to reducing road crashes and fatalities across Nigeria.