FRSC Act: Senate Raises Traffic Fines by 300%

Nigerian motorists and commuters may soon face much higher penalties for traffic offences following the Senate’s approval of amendments to the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) Act.

The amended bill, which is awaiting presidential assent, increases fines for several traffic violations, with some offences incurring penalties up to four times the previous amounts.

Among the new provisions is a ₦50,000 fine for anyone caught hawking, trading or preaching inside commercial vehicles.

The Senate approved the changes as part of the Federal Road Safety Corps Act (Amendment) Bill, 2026, following deliberations by lawmakers who argued that stricter penalties are needed to improve road discipline and reduce accidents caused by distractions.

The revised law also introduces tougher sanctions for offences such as driving under the influence of alcohol, using a mobile phone while driving, overloading vehicles, failing to wear seatbelts and driving without a valid licence.

Under the amended schedule, the law now lists 52 traffic offences together with their respective penalties.

Drivers found operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or intoxicating drugs beyond the legal limit will now face a fine of ₦100,000, up from the previous ₦5,000. Convicted offenders may also be sentenced to up to two years in prison or receive both the fine and imprisonment.

The amendment also makes it an offence to refuse a roadside breath test requested by FRSC officials where there is reasonable suspicion of impaired driving. Anyone convicted of refusing the test may be fined ₦50,000, sentenced to six months in prison or receive both punishments.

Motorists who fail to obey traffic lights, road signs, road markings or other traffic control measures will also face a ₦100,000 fine.

The penalty for exceeding speed limits has equally been increased to ₦100,000 from the previous ₦5,000.

Reckless driving now attracts the same ₦100,000 fine and may also lead to a prison sentence of up to two years or both penalties.

Lawmakers said the review of the law is intended to strengthen the FRSC’s enforcement powers, improve compliance with traffic regulations and reduce the growing number of road crashes across the country.

Commercial transport operators and passengers are expected to be among those most affected by the new provisions, especially in cities such as Abuja, Lagos and other urban centres where hawking and religious preaching inside buses are common.

The FRSC has repeatedly argued that the existing penalties are too low to discourage traffic offences. The new amendment is expected to impose stricter financial consequences on offenders once it receives presidential approval.