If you are a driver, passenger, or regular commuter in Nigeria, you need to pay close attention
to this. The Nigerian Senate has just passed a major law that will completely change how
people behave on our roads. On Thursday, July 16, 2026, the Red Chamber passed the
Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Act Amendment Bill, introducing incredibly heavy fines for
simple traffic offenses and banning common passenger habits.
This new law makes it a crime to preach, sell goods, or trade inside any commercial vehicle.
Additionally, everyday traffic offenses that used to carry small fines of ₦5,000 have now
skyrocketed to ₦100,000. Here is a complete breakdown of what this means for you, your daily
movement, and your pocket.
No More Bus Preaching, Hawking, or Trading
For decades, boarding a commercial bus (danfo, coaster, or luxury bus) in cities like Lagos,
Abuja, or Port Harcourt almost always came with a free sermon or a loud sales pitch. From
people selling “miracle” herbal drugs to preachers sharing morning messages, these activities
are part of the daily commute. However, under the newly passed bill, this has become illegal.
Anyone caught preaching, trading, or hawking goods inside a commercial vehicle will be
arrested. If found guilty by a court, the offender will have to pay a flat fine of ₦50,000.
Lawmakers explained that this ban is necessary because these activities highly distract drivers
and passenger focus, leading to terrible and avoidable road accidents.
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300% Jump: Traffic Fines Increase Significantly
The Senate did not stop at commercial passengers. Drivers who break road rules are facing the
biggest blow. The new schedule of offenses shows that major traffic violations have been raised
by up to 300%. The lawmakers argued that drivers easily violate rules because the current fines
are too small. For example, disobeying traffic lights or speeding used to attract a minor ₦5,000
penalty. Now, it has been moved to ₦100,000.
New FRSC Penalties at a Glance
Here is a breakdown of the new fines compared to the old ones:
| Road Offense | Old Fine | Proposed New Penalty |
| Drunk Driving | ₦5,000 | ₦100,000 fine, up to 2 years in prison, or both |
| Speeding (Speed Limit Violations) | ₦5,000 | ₦100,000 fine |
| Reckless / Dangerous Driving | Low | ₦100,000 fine, up to 2 years in prison, or both |
| Disobeying Traffic Lights or Signs | Low | ₦100,000 fine |
Refusing a Breathalyzer Test is Now a Criminal Offence
If an FRSC officer stops you on the road because they suspect you are driving drunk, you are
required by law to cooperate with them. The new bill makes it a serious crime to refuse a
preliminary roadside breath test. If you refuse to blow into the testing machine when requested,
you are liable to a ₦50,000 fine, a six-month prison sentence, or both.
When Will the New Rules and Fines Begin?
Before you start panicking about these new fines, there is one key detail you should know.
Although the Senate has fully passed this amendment bill, it is not yet active. The bill must now
be sent to President Bola Tinubu. Once the President signs it (this is called presidential assent),
the new rules will formally become active law across Nigeria. Until then, the old road safety
regulations and lower fines still apply.