The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), under the leadership of Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed, has activated a new penalty points system aimed at reinforcing compliance with traffic regulations across Nigeria. The initiative is designed to track and penalize drivers who commit traffic offences, with the ultimate goal of reducing road traffic crashes and promoting safer driving practices nationwide.
In a statement issued on Monday by the Corps’ Assistant Public Education Officer, Olusegun Ogungbemide, Corps Marshal Mohammed explained that the penalty points system is a proven approach to enforcing traffic laws. The system assigns penalty points to drivers based on the severity of various traffic violations. Once a driver accumulates a certain number of points, they become subject to a range of penalties, which could include warnings, suspension of their driver’s license, or even complete revocation of their right to drive.
According to the new rules, drivers who accumulate between 10 and 14 penalty points will receive a warning notification, signaling the need to stop violating traffic regulations. If a driver accrues between 15 and 20 points, their driver’s license will be temporarily suspended. However, when a driver accumulates 21 points, their driver’s license will be permanently revoked, effectively barring them from driving on Nigerian roads.
Mohammed provided examples of traffic offences and their corresponding penalty points:
- Driving without a valid driver’s license: 10 penalty points and a ₦10,000 fine.
- Speed limit violations: 5 penalty points and a ₦5,000 fine.
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs: 5 penalty points and a ₦5,000 fine.
- Dangerous driving: 10 penalty points and a ₦50,000 fine.
Beyond imposing penalties, the FRSC emphasized that the penalty points system will also create a record of a driver’s traffic history. This record could be requested by other countries when Nigerian drivers apply for permission to drive abroad.
The new system is part of FRSC’s broader effort to enhance road safety and reduce fatalities on Nigerian roads. Mohammed stressed that the penalty points system is a proactive step toward stricter enforcement of traffic laws, signaling a significant move toward safer roads in Nigeria.
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Meta Description: FRSC introduces penalty points system to strengthen traffic law enforcement and improve road safety in Nigeria.
