The Nigerian Senate has begun deliberations on a bill seeking to ban the daytime movement of articulated lorries, tankers, and trailers across the country.
Sponsored by Senator Ned Munir Nwoko of Delta North Senatorial District, the bill, titled “A Bill for an Act to Amend the Federal Road Safety Commission (Establishment) Act, 2007, to Restrict the Daytime Movement of Heavy-Duty Vehicles and for Related Matters,” passed its first reading on Tuesday, February 11, 2025.
If enacted, the legislation will restrict the movement of heavy-duty vehicles to between 12:00 midnight and 6:00 am, barring emergencies.
Key Provisions of the Bill:
Penalties:
Individual violators will face a ₦500,000 fine.
Corporate offenders will be fined ₦5,000,000.
Vehicles found violating the restriction will be seized and impounded for up to 30 days.
Exemptions:
Emergency vehicles transporting essential goods such as medical supplies.
Situations deemed to be in the public interest.
Why This Bill Matters
The proposed law aims to reduce road accidents, ease traffic congestion, and enhance public safety.
Data from the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) indicates that accidents involving tankers and trailers resulted in 3,200 deaths between 2015 and 2018, with Nigeria losing over ₦39 billion to such incidents in 2018 alone.
The nation’s roads are frequently clogged with fuel tankers, cement trucks, and trailers carrying hazardous materials, competing for space with passenger vehicles, especially during peak hours.
The consequences have been deadly, leading to catastrophic accidents, loss of lives, and severe economic setbacks.
As the Senate prepares for further deliberations, attention will be on how the bill progresses and the level of support it receives from lawmakers and industry stakeholders.
