Senate moves to restrict daytime operations of heavy-duty vehicles
The Nigerian Senate has taken steps to prohibit the movement of articulated lorries, tankers, and trailers during daytime hours across the country.
A 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” was introduced for its first reading yesterday.
Sponsored by Senator Ned Nwoko (APC, Delta North), the proposed legislation seeks to confine heavy-duty vehicle operations to the hours between 12:00 midnight and 6:00 am, except in cases of emergency. The bill proposes penalties of ₦500,000 for individual violators, ₦5,000,000 for corporate offenders, and vehicle impoundment for up to 30 days.
However, exceptions will be made for vehicles transporting essential goods, such as medical supplies, or those involved in emergency public service operations.
The bill aims to curb the high rate of accidents involving heavy-duty vehicles, ease traffic congestion, and enhance road safety. According to the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), tanker and trailer accidents caused 3,200 deaths between 2015 and 2018, with losses exceeding ₦39 billion in 2018 alone due to related incidents.
Senator Nwoko emphasized the dangers posed by fuel tankers, cement trucks, and trailers carrying hazardous cargo, which compete for road space with passenger vehicles, particularly during peak hours. He noted that these conditions contribute to frequent fatal accidents and significant economic disruptions.
The bill will now proceed to its second reading, where lawmakers will debate its general principles before it advances to a public hearing stage.
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