By Unue Emeka,
The Nigerian Senate has taken a significant step toward regulating heavy-duty vehicle operations by considering a bill that seeks to restrict their movement during daylight hours nationwide.
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,” the legislation, sponsored by Senator Ned Munir Nwoko (Delta North), passed its first reading on Tuesday, February 11, 2025.
If enacted, the bill would impose a nationwide ban on the movement of articulated lorries, tankers, and trailers between 6:00 AM and 12:00 midnight, limiting their operations to midnight to 6:00 AM, except in emergencies.
Key provisions of the bill include:
₦500,000 fine for individual violators
₦5,000,000 fine for corporate offenders
Seizure and impoundment of offending vehicles for up to 30 days
The bill allows exemptions for emergency vehicles, particularly those transporting medical supplies or goods deemed essential for the public interest.
The proposed legislation aims to reduce accidents, ease traffic congestion, and enhance road safety. According to the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), heavy-duty vehicles were responsible for 3,200 deaths between 2015 and 2018, with ₦39 billion lost to tanker and trailer-related accidents in 2018 alone.
Nigeria’s roads remain congested with fuel tankers, cement trucks, and other heavy cargo carriers, increasing the risk of fatal crashes, property destruction, and economic losses. As the Senate deliberates further, the bill’s progress will be closely watched by lawmakers, industry players, and the public.
