| dc.description.abstract | Road safety remains a major public policy challenge in Nigeria despite the existence of traffic regulations
and enforcement institutions such as the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC). Nigeria records thousands
of road crashes annually, resulting in significant loss of lives, injuries, and economic costs. Official data
shows that over 5,421 people died in 9,570 road accidents in Nigeria in 2024, while thousands more
sustained injuries. The persistence of road accidents highlight serious gaps in Nigeria’s road traffic
regulatory framework, including weak enforcement, outdated penalty provisions, poor driver discipline,
and infrastructural deficiencies. Traffic offences such as reckless driving, speeding, driving under the
influence of alcohol, and vehicle mechanical defects remain widespread across the country.
Although various traffic regulations exist, implemented by agencies such as the FRSC and state traffic
authorities—penalties for many offences remain relatively low compared with the economic and social
costs of road crashes. For example, some traffic violations attract fines ranging from ₦2,000 to ₦50,000,
which may not serve as strong deterrents against reckless behaviour.
Addressing the weaknesses in Nigeria’s road traffic regulatory framework, and ensuring strict compliance,
the analysis proposes the following recommendations:
✓ The National Assembly through its Senate and House Committees on Federal Road Safety
Commission, may wish to initiate amendment of the Regulation 220 (offenses and penalties) of
the NRTR 2012. Review and Increase Traffic Penalties. Traffic fines should reflect current
economic realities as higher fines would increase deterrence against reckless driving.
✓ The Senate and House Committees on Federal Road Safety Commission, through its oversight
function may wish to advise the Federal Government through the FRSC, on the need to deploy
smart traffic monitoring systems. Use technology such as: speed cameras, traffic sensors, and
automated enforcement.
✓ Improve collaboration among FRSC, Police and state traffic agencies. | en_US |
