The Senate has approved the Federal Road Safety Corps (Amendment) Bill, 2026, introducing stiffer penalties for several traffic-related offences, including a proposed ₦50,000 fine for anyone convicted of hawking, trading or preaching inside commercial vehicles.
The bill, which has been passed by the upper chamber and now awaits President Bola Tinubu’s assent, also recommends a ₦50,000 fine, a six-month jail term, or both, for motorists who refuse to cooperate with FRSC officials conducting roadside breath tests based on reasonable suspicion.
The amended legislation, passed on Thursday, is designed to strengthen road safety enforcement, improve compliance with traffic laws and reduce road accidents across the country.
One of the new provisions makes it an offence to hawk, conduct business or preach inside commercial vehicles. Anyone found guilty under the proposed law would be liable to a ₦50,000 fine upon conviction.
According to lawmakers, the measure is intended to reduce distractions inside commercial buses and enhance passenger safety.
The bill also introduces tougher sanctions for motorists driving under the influence of alcohol or intoxicating substances. The existing ₦5,000 fine would increase to ₦100,000, while offenders could also face up to two years in prison or both penalties.
Motorists who decline to cooperate with FRSC officers carrying out preliminary roadside breath tests on reasonable suspicion would equally be liable to a ₦50,000 fine, six months’ imprisonment, or both.
In addition, the amendment raises the penalty for violating traffic lights, ignoring road signs, pavement markings and other traffic control devices to ₦100,000.
Exceeding the prescribed speed limit, which previously attracted a ₦5,000 fine, would now carry a ₦100,000 penalty under the proposed law. The same punishment applies to reckless driving, with offenders also facing up to two years’ imprisonment or both.
The revised schedule attached to the bill outlines 52 traffic offences alongside their corresponding penalties.
According to the Senate, the amendment is intended to strengthen the enforcement powers of the Federal Road Safety Corps, encourage greater compliance with traffic regulations and improve road safety nationwide.