 has activated the penalty points system as part of its efforts to enhance compliance with traffic regulations and promote safer roads in Nigeria.){kind=link}
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has activated the penalty points system as part of its efforts to enhance compliance with traffic regulations and promote safer roads in Nigeria.
The Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, announced this initiative in a statement issued on Monday by the Corps Public Education Officer in Abuja, emphasizing that the system is a globally recognized method for enforcing traffic laws.
According to Mohammed, the system assigns penalty points to drivers based on the severity of their traffic violations.
Accumulating between 10 and 14 points will result in a warning notification, urging the driver to desist from violating traffic laws. If the driver reaches between 15 and 20 points, their license will be temporarily suspended, effectively barring them from driving.
However, accumulating 21 points will lead to the complete withdrawal of the driver’s license, permanently revoking their right to drive on Nigerian roads.
He further explained that common traffic offences such as driving without a valid license, exceeding speed limits, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and reckless driving will all attract penalty points alongside monetary fines. Dangerous driving, for instance, accrues the highest penalty points and carries a significant financial sanction.
Mohammed also noted that the penalty points system would not only serve as a deterrent to traffic violations but would also be recorded as part of a driver’s history.
These records may be forwarded to foreign countries that require driving history reports for Nigerian applicants seeking to drive abroad.
He described this as a strategic step towards ensuring stricter enforcement of traffic laws, reducing road traffic crashes, and fostering a culture of responsible driving across the country.
He reiterated that the FRSC remains committed to maintaining safety on Nigerian roads, stressing that the new system is a proactive measure aimed at minimizing reckless driving and saving lives.