Senate Passes Bill Proposing ₦50,000 Fine for Hawking, Preaching in Commercial Buses

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

The bill, which is yet to receive presidential assent before becoming law, provides that anyone convicted of trading, hawking or preaching to passengers in commercial vehicles could face a ₦50,000 fine. Lawmakers said the measure is aimed at reducing distractions and improving the safety of passengers on public transport.

The proposed legislation also prescribes a ₦50,000 fine, a six month prison term or both for drivers who refuse to undergo a roadside breathalyzer test when requested by officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps on reasonable suspicion.

In addition, the bill increases penalties for several traffic offences by as much as 300 percent. Driving under the influence of alcohol or narcotic drugs now attracts a proposed fine of ₦100,000, up from the previous ₦5,000, with offenders also liable to a prison sentence of up to two years or both.

Lawmakers explained that the amendments are intended to strengthen compliance with traffic regulations, discourage reckless driving and reduce road crashes across the country.

The bill will only become law after it is signed by the President. Until then, the proposed penalties, including the ₦50,000 fine for hawking and preaching in commercial buses, are not yet in force.