Hawking, preaching in buses to attract ₦50,000 fine — Senate

The Senate has passed the redrafted Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Act (Amendment) Bill, 2026, introducing stiffer penalties for a range of road traffic offences, including a proposed ₦50,000 fine for hawking or preaching inside commercial buses.

The bill, which is awaiting presidential assent before it becomes law, also proposes a ₦50,000 fine, a six-month jail term, or both for drivers who refuse to undergo a roadside breathalyser test when requested by FRSC officers on reasonable suspicion.

Under the amended legislation, penalties for several traffic offences have been increased significantly, with some fines rising by as much as 300 per cent. Lawmakers said the tougher sanctions are aimed at promoting compliance with traffic regulations, reducing reckless driving and improving road safety across the country.

The bill, titled Federal Road Safety Corps Act (Amendment), 2026 (HBs. 1401 & 1604 – For Concurrence), was introduced for first reading in the Senate on July 1, 2026.

If signed into law by the President, anyone convicted of hawking goods or preaching inside commercial vehicles will face a ₦50,000 fine. Senators argued that the measure is intended to eliminate distractions in public transport and enhance passenger safety.

The proposed legislation also increases the penalty for driving under the influence of alcohol or narcotic substances from ₦5,000 to ₦100,000. Offenders could also face up to two years’ imprisonment, or both a fine and imprisonment.

According to the bill, it is an offence to drive or attempt to drive a vehicle while impaired by alcohol or drugs beyond the legal limit or to a level that affects the safe operation of the vehicle.

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