The Senate has passed a bill seeking to impose a ₦50,000 fine on anyone found preaching, hawking or trading inside commercial buses as part of wider reforms aimed at improving road safety across Nigeria. The bill, passed on Thursday, is designed to improve road safety by reducing distractions that could affect drivers and increase the […]
The Senate has passed a bill seeking to impose a ₦50,000 fine on anyone found preaching, hawking or trading inside commercial buses as part of wider reforms aimed at improving road safety across Nigeria.
The bill, passed on Thursday, is designed to improve road safety by reducing distractions that could affect drivers and increase the risk of accidents.
If signed into law by President Bola Tinubu, anyone convicted of preaching, hawking or trading inside a commercial bus will face a ₦50,000 fine.
The proposed legislation also introduces a ₦50,000 fine, six months’ imprisonment, or both, for motorists who refuse roadside breath tests conducted by FRSC personnel on reasonable suspicion.
The Senate further approved an increase in the penalty for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs from ₦5,000 to ₦100,000, while offenders could also face up to two years in prison.
Motorists who violate speed limits, traffic lights, road signs and other traffic control devices will equally face a ₦100,000 fine under the proposed amendment.
Reckless driving also attracts a ₦100,000 fine, imprisonment of up to two years, or both, depending on the court’s decision.
Lawmakers said the amendment covers 52 traffic offences and is intended to strengthen the enforcement powers of the Federal Road Safety Corps while promoting safer roads across the country.