Some motorists in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have urged a review of the proposed 2,000 per cent increase in traffic fines, warning that the jump from N5,000 to N100,000 is excessive.
The motorists, however, expressed support for the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Amendment Bill, saying stronger laws are necessary to improve discipline and safety on Nigerian roads.
They shared their views in separate interviews with reporters on Sunday in Abuja while reacting to the FRSC Amendment Bill recently passed by the Senate.
Both private and commercial drivers who spoke to reporters said the bill could promote compliance with traffic regulations if implemented fairly and backed by reasonable penalties.
It was reported that the Senate recently passed the FRSC Amendment Bill, raising traffic fines by about 2,000 per cent.
In the bill, offences such as speed-limit violation, reckless driving, failure to obey traffic lights, and failure to obey road signs or markings are raised from N5,000 to N100,000 or two years’ imprisonment, or both, for offenders.
The bill also raises the penalty for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs and using a mobile phone while driving from N5,000 to N100,000 or two years’ imprisonment, or both, upon conviction.
Motorists who refuse FRSC roadside breath tests based on reasonable suspicion face a N50,000 fine, six months’ imprisonment, or both, while corporate offenders also risk fines of up to N5 million under the proposed law.
The bill also raises the penalty for offences relating to a driver’s licence and vehicle particulars from N5,000 to N50,000 as part of the proposed review of fines for documentation-related traffic violations.
The bill, awaiting the President’s assent, also introduces a N50,000 fine for hawking or preaching in commercial buses, among other provisions.
It was reported that some Christian groups have opposed the proposed N50,000 fine, saying it threatens religious freedom, criminalises peaceful preaching and unfairly penalises hawkers.
Speaking on this development, Mr Anthony Mangwe, a Bolt driver, said the new measures would force road users to be more cautious, especially regarding offences like phone use while driving and related offences.
“If that bill becomes law, it will benefit some of us. Many people will be more careful on the road, especially by avoiding phone calls while driving.
“However, most road laws we enact tend to affect the poorest people the most, and that is unfair,” Mangwe said.
He also lamented the conduct of some officials in traffic, noting that reckless driving by those in authority often encourages ordinary citizens to disobey traffic rules.
He added that compliance would improve if leaders obeyed the law first.
Mangwe also noted the economic impact of traffic violations on commercial drivers, saying, “When you are caught, your business for the day will be ruined.”
He therefore reiterated that authorities should ensure they lead by example, saying, “When people see that, they will be afraid to break the law.”
He said if the law is properly enforced, it would benefit the entire nation.
On the proposed penalties, he appealed to the government to reconsider the N100,000 fine, describing it as too much.
Also speaking, the Chairman of Jabi Town Service, Ismaila Ibrahim, commended the government for the move, saying it would help reduce accidents on the roads, but criticised the penalty measures.
On his part, Mr Rasheed Adebayo, a taxi driver, said while the intention of the bill was good, compliance would depend on how it is enforced across the board.
Adebayo stressed the need for fairness, noting that traffic laws often affect low-income road users the most.
Similarly, the first Chairman of Jabi Town Service, Mr Abdul Mumini, described the increase as necessary to curb recklessness on the roads but said the new amount was too high.
“This is a Federal Government decision. It’s good because of our indiscipline on the roads and for safety.
“If you are driving and someone jumps a traffic light, they don’t stop. They don’t care. This will make people more mindful,” Mumini said.
He, however, argued that jumping straight to N100,000 was excessive.
“If you don’t pay, you go to prison for two years. That is too much. If they had increased it gradually, say from N5,000 to N10,000, it would make more sense,” he added.
He further explained that the purpose of the Corps’ amendment bill was to protect drivers, pedestrians and passengers.
He said the FRSC increased the penalty to ensure nobody offends traffic rules, noting that all they are trying to do is for safety.
He added that stiffer penalties would force motorists to be more careful but urged the government to consider the economic situation of Nigerians before full implementation.
The motorists agreed that for the law to be effective, enforcement must be uniform and must also apply to government officials and those in special vehicles.
