Senate Passes FRSC Amendment Bill, Proposes ₦100,000 Fine for Traffic Light Violations, Tougher Sanctions for Road Offences
Published by Borderless MediaNg
The Senate has passed the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Act (Amendment) Bill, 2026, introducing significantly higher penalties for a wide range of traffic offences in a bid to improve road safety, strengthen compliance with traffic regulations, and reduce reckless driving across the country.
However, the proposed legislation has not yet become law, as it is still awaiting presidential assent before the new penalties can be enforced nationwide.
Under the amended bill, motorists who disobey traffic lights, road signs, road markings, or pavement regulations will face a ₦100,000 fine, representing a sharp increase from the previous penalty of ₦5,000.
The bill also seeks to address distractions in commercial transportation by imposing a ₦50,000 fine on anyone found hawking, trading, or preaching inside commercial buses. Lawmakers say the measure is aimed at improving passenger safety and reducing activities that could divert drivers’ attention while on the road.
To further curb dangerous driving habits, the amendment prescribes stiffer sanctions for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Offenders will be liable to a ₦100,000 fine, a two-year prison sentence, or both, depending on the circumstances of the offence.
In addition, motorists who refuse to cooperate with FRSC officials during roadside breathalyser tests could face a ₦50,000 fine, six months’ imprisonment, or both.
The proposed legislation also raises penalties for speeding and reckless driving, with offenders now facing fines of up to ₦100,000.
According to reports, the amendment outlines 52 different traffic offences, all designed to promote greater discipline on Nigerian roads, enhance public safety, and strengthen the enforcement powers of the Federal Road Safety Corps.
If signed into law by the President, the amended FRSC Act will mark one of the most comprehensive overhauls of Nigeria’s road traffic enforcement regime, with substantially higher penalties intended to deter traffic violations and reduce the alarming rate of road crashes across the country.
