Nigeria’s Senate has proposed a N50,000 fine for activities including hawking and preaching inside commercial vehicles, as well as refusing to cooperate with officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps, under amendments to the Federal Road Safety Corps Act aimed at improving road safety and strengthening enforcement of traffic regulations.
The proposal forms part of a broader legislative review of the FRSC Act, which lawmakers say is intended to modernize road safety laws and address behaviors considered capable of distracting drivers, disrupting traffic operations or endangering passengers and other road users.
According to lawmakers, hawking and unsolicited preaching in moving commercial vehicles can divert drivers’ attention and create unnecessary safety risks. They argued that commercial buses should remain focused on transporting passengers safely rather than serving as venues for activities that could interfere with driving.
The proposed amendments also seek to impose the same N50,000 penalty on individuals who fail to cooperate with FRSC personnel while they carry out their lawful duties. Lawmakers said compliance with road safety officers is necessary to ensure effective enforcement of traffic regulations and the protection of lives on Nigerian roads.
The bill is part of wider efforts to strengthen penalties for traffic violations, with senators arguing that existing sanctions no longer provide an effective deterrent because many have remained unchanged for years. They said updated penalties are intended to encourage greater compliance with road safety laws.
The proposal has generated mixed reactions among Nigerians. Some road safety advocates welcomed stricter measures, saying reducing distractions inside commercial vehicles could help lower the number of road crashes. Others, however, questioned whether imposing fines on religious preaching or informal trading in buses could affect individual freedoms or create additional economic hardship for low income earners.
Legal experts noted that if the amendments become law, enforcement would need to be carried out fairly and consistently while respecting constitutional rights. They also emphasized the importance of clearly defining prohibited conduct to avoid confusion or arbitrary application of the law.
Road safety experts have long identified driver distraction as a significant cause of traffic accidents worldwide. International public health agencies have encouraged governments to adopt measures that reduce avoidable distractions while promoting safer driving practices through education, enforcement and improved transport policies.
The proposed amendments must complete the legislative process before taking effect. If approved by the House of Representatives and signed into law by the president, the revised provisions would become part of Nigeria’s road safety framework as authorities continue efforts to reduce traffic accidents and improve compliance with national transport regulations.
