Senate proposes ₦50,000 fine for preaching, hawking in commercial buses

The Senate has passed the Federal Road Safety Corps (Amendment) Bill, 2026, proposing a ₦50,000 fine for anyone convicted of hawking, trading or preaching inside commercial vehicles.

The bill, which awaits presidential assent, also introduces stiffer penalties for several traffic offences, including drunk driving, speeding and refusal to cooperate with FRSC officials during roadside breath tests.

Under the proposed law, anyone found hawking, trading or preaching in a commercial vehicle will be liable, upon conviction, to a ₦50,000 fine.

Lawmakers said the provision was introduced to reduce distractions in commercial vehicles and improve the safety of passengers and other road users.

The amendment also raises the penalty for driving under the influence of alcohol or intoxicating substances from ₦5,000 to ₦100,000. Convicted offenders may also face up to two years’ imprisonment or both.

Motorists who refuse to cooperate with FRSC personnel conducting roadside breath tests based on reasonable suspicion will face a ₦50,000 fine, six months’ imprisonment, or both.

The bill further increases the fine for disobeying traffic lights, road signs, pavement markings and other traffic control devices to ₦100,000.

It also proposes a ₦100,000 fine for speeding, replacing the previous ₦5,000 penalty, while reckless driving will attract a ₦100,000 fine, up to two years’ imprisonment, or both.

According to the Senate, the amended legislation contains 52 traffic offences and their corresponding penalties, aimed at strengthening the FRSC’s enforcement powers, improving compliance with traffic regulations and reducing road crashes across the country.

The bill will become law if signed by President Bola Tinubu.