Senate Seeks Daytime Ban on Heavy-Duty Vehicles

To enhance road safety and reduce traffic fatalities, the Nigerian Senate has introduced a bill to restrict the daytime operations of heavy-duty vehicles nationwide. The proposed legislation, 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 read for the first time in the Senate on February 11, 2025. Sponsored by Senator Ned Nwoko (APC, Delta North), the bill seeks to confine the movement of articulated lorries, tankers, and trailers to the hours between 12:00 midnight and 6:00 am, except in emergencies.

The move comes in response to alarming road crash statistics, with the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) reporting over 40,000 deaths annually. Between 2015 and 2018, articulated vehicles alone accounted for 3,200 fatalities, with economic losses exceeding ₦39 billion in 2018 due to tanker and trailer crashes.

This initiative follows tragic accidents like the 2024 Rivers State tanker explosion that claimed four lives and destroyed over 100 vehicles. Lagos and Abia States have already enforced similar policies, demonstrating their effectiveness in reducing road carnage.

While the bill prioritizes public safety, concerns remain about its impact on logistics and supply chains. Stakeholders must find a balance between road safety and economic sustainability. If passed, the law would mark a major step in making Nigeria’s roads safer.