The Senate has passed the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Act (Amendment) Bill, 2026, introducing stringent penalties aimed at curbing traffic violations and improving commuter safety across Nigeria. The legislative framework seeks to thoroughly overhaul road safety enforcement by updating outdated fine structures to match current economic realities.

Under the newly passed bill, which now awaits presidential assent, preaching, hawking, or trading inside commercial vehicles has been criminalized. Any individual convicted of these activities inside a transit vehicle faces a ₦50,000 fine. Lawmakers inserted this clause to eliminate unnecessary distractions inside commercial buses and maximize passenger safety.

The proposed law also takes a uncompromising stance against motorists who drive under the influence of alcohol or intoxicating drugs. The penalty for drunk driving has skyrocketed from the previous ₦5,000 to ₦100,000. Convicted offenders also risk facing up to two years’ imprisonment alongside or in place of the monetary fine.

Furthermore, the amendment introduces strict penalties for motorists who refuse to cooperate with FRSC officials. Drivers who decline to take preliminary roadside breath tests conducted on reasonable suspicion will face severe consequences. The bill prescribes a ₦50,000 fine, six months’ imprisonment, or both for non-compliance.

Basic traffic violations will also attract much heavier financial penalties once the bill receives executive approval. Disobeying traffic lights, ignoring road signs, disregarding pavement markings, and flouting other traffic control devices will now attract a flat fine of ₦100,000.

In a similar vein, speed limit violations and reckless driving penalties have been significantly upwardly reviewed. Speeding offenses, which previously carried a minor ₦5,000 fine, have been raised to ₦100,000. Drivers convicted of reckless driving will also pay ₦100,000 and face up to two years in prison.

In total, the revised schedule under the amended legislation outlines 52 distinct traffic violations and their corresponding penalties. According to the Senate, this comprehensive review is explicitly designed to strengthen the FRSC’s enforcement powers, compel strict motorist compliance, and drastically reduce road crashes nationwide.