Motorists, Commuters Reject Proposed Ban On Preaching, Hawking In Public Vehicles

Motorists and commuters in Lagos and environs have kicked against the ban of products selling or preaching in public vehicles.

Reacting to this development, a man, Alhaji Abubakar argued that the people behind the move are neglecting the weighter matters that could guarantee safer movements on Nigerian roads by this plan.

According to Abubakar, “of all the number of road accidents, which of them were attributable to sales of products or preaching in vehicles? I think the people behind this plan are short of achievable and useful ideas on road safety. What they should do is come out with what would reduce road carnage in Nigerian roads.”

On her part, Derby Bello, expressed her displeasure over the plan. Are selling of products or preaching been the cause of road accidents? National Assembly and FRSC should come out with issue-solving models that would bring sanity on roads.

According to Bello, “Nigerian government is not interested in the welfare of the people. FRSC, an agency saddled with road safety responsibility should concentrate on how to reduce road crashes.”

Moreover she demanded to know if passengers or the drivers of commercial vehicles have complaining. Have preaching or sales of products are been attributed to accidents?
Is preaching or sales of products be linked to endangering the lives of passengers or the vehicles? By this planned restriction, it means Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) is only trying to look for another way to start making money from innocent people.”

On Thursday, the Senate passed the Federal Road Safety Corps (Amendment) Bill, 2026, proposing a N50,000 fine for anyone convicted of hawking, trading or preaching inside commercial vehicles.

The bill, which seeks to strengthen road safety enforcement and curb practices considered capable of distracting drivers, now awaits presidential assent.

If signed into law, the legislation will impose a N50,000 fine, six months’ imprisonment, or both, on motorists who refuse to cooperate with officials of the FRSC during roadside breath tests conducted on reasonable suspicion.

Reacting to the proposed legislation, the CCN said it was “deeply concerned” about the inclusion of preaching among the prohibited activities.

The body, in a statement issued on Friday and signed by its general secretary, Rev. Evans Onyemara, said although it supports measures aimed at improving road safety, the legislation should not come at the expense of constitutionally guaranteed freedoms.