FRSC Act: Senate proposes N50,000 fine for hawking, preaching in buses

The Senate has passed the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Act (Amendment) Bill, 2026, introducing tougher penalties for traffic offences across Nigeria.

The amendment, which was approved during plenary on Thursday, is designed to strengthen road safety enforcement and promote greater compliance with traffic regulations across the country. The bill has now been transmitted for presidential assent, and If signed into law, the new penalties will replace several existing a sanctions under the the current FRSC Act.

Under the bill, anyone convicted of failing to obey traffic lights, road signs, pavement markings, or other road markings will be liable to a N100,000 fine.

The legislation also prescribes a N50,000 fine for anyone found hawking, trading, or preaching inside commercial buses.

The bill further seeks to overhaul existing sanctions for driving under the influence of alcohol or intoxicating drugs. If signed into law, offenders could face a N100,000 fine, up to two years’ imprisonment, or both upon conviction -an increase from the current N5,000 penalty contained in the exiting law.

In addition, drivers who refused to cooperate with FRSC officials during roadside breath tests carried out on reasonable suspicion of intoxication could be liable to N50,000 fine, a six-month prison sentence, or both.

The proposed legislation also targets speeding and dangerous driving. Speed limit violations, which currently attract relatively modest fines, would carry a N100,000 fine, imprisonment for up to two years, or both, depending on the circumstances.

The lawmaker said the comprehensive overhaul is aimed at modernising the country’s road safety laws, strengthening the enforcement powers of the Federal Road Safety Corps and improving compliance with traffic rules.

The Senate expressed confidence that the new penalties would contribute to safer highways, credible road crashes and promote greater discipline among road users across the country.

The bill awaits presidential assent. If approved by the President, the revised sanctions will become enforceable nationwide, marking one of the most significant updates to Nigeria’s road safety laws in recent years.

-9News Nigeria.