In a bold move targeting commuter safety and sanity on public roads, the Senate has passed the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Act (Amendment) Bill, 2026. The revised legislation officially criminalizes preaching, trading, and hawking inside commercial vehicles across the country, prescribing a stiff ₦50,000 fine for violators.
The bill, which passed its final reading on Thursday, July 16, 2026, aims to curb practices that lawmakers argue cause critical distractions to drivers and compromise commuter safety. The legislation now awaits presidential assent before becoming law.
Curbing Noise and Distraction
The decision to ban preaching and hawking—ubiquitous features of the daily commute in major Nigerian cities like Lagos and Abuja—sparked intense debate during the legislative session.
However, sponsors of the amendment argued that commercial buses are strictly meant for transit and should not double as mobile marketplaces or religious sanctuaries where drivers are subjected to constant auditory and physical distractions. Under the new provision, anyone caught preaching, selling, or showcasing goods inside a moving commercial vehicle commits an offense and, upon conviction, faces a flat ₦50,000 fine.
Strict New Penalties for Traffic Violators
The ban on bus preachers and traders is part of a sweeping review of the FRSC Act. In a bid to instill road discipline, lawmakers approved a massive 300 percent hike in penalties across 52 listed traffic offenses:
| Traffic Offence | Old Penalty | New Penalty / Punishments |
| Preaching, Hawking, or Trading in Buses | None | ₦50,000 fine |
| Driving Under the Influence (DUI) | ₦5,000 | ₦100,000 fine or up to 2 years’ imprisonment, or both |
| Disobeying Traffic Lights, Signs, & Markings | — | ₦100,000 fine |
| Speed Limit Violations | ₦5,000 | ₦100,000 fine |
| Reckless Driving | — | ₦100,000 fine or up to 2 years’ imprisonment, or both |
Crackdown on Breath Test Refusals
The amended bill also targets uncooperative motorists.
To tighten the reins on drunk driving, the Senate approved a ₦50,000 fine, six months’ imprisonment, or both for any driver who refuses to cooperate with FRSC officials conducting preliminary, roadside breathalyzer tests based on reasonable suspicion.
“We are raising these penalties not to generate revenue, but to serve as a deterrent. The loss of lives on our highways due to reckless behavior, driving under the influence, and unregulated distractions in public transit must stop.” — Senate Statement on the Passage of the Bill
While commuter safety advocates have widely praised the Senate’s decisive move, the proposed ban on preaching and hawking is expected to face mixed reactions from transport unions and religious groups as the bill heads to President Tinubu’s desk for executive signature.
Ayodele Quadri
Correspondent
