Traffic Violations - Consequences and fines payment in Nigeria

According to section D, of the Nigeria Highway Code, it says:  “On every road there are road users such as motorists, pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists, passengers and animals. As a road user, it is expected that the road is used in accordance with the rules and regulations, Every road user should be disciplined. careful and considerate to others, to ensure safer roads. thereby avoiding road crashes and or arrest and prosecution”.

Honestly speaking, we really do have conventional safety rules and regulations to guide us in Nigeria. One of which is the road safety rules and regulations. If only we could strictly abide by these rules, I really don’t think road problems will be part of the things affecting us in the country.

Traffic violation occurs when a driver violates one of the laws that regulate motor vehicle operation on streets or highways. There can be minor or major violations, but both can have serious consequences for the driver. Traffic violations appear on your driving record, affect insurance premiums, and result in costly fines and legal fees. There are two forms of Traffic Violations:

• Moving Violation
• Nonmoving Violation

Moving Violation: This violation occurs whenever a driver violates a traffic law with a vehicle in motion. Some examples of moving violations are speeding, running a stop sign or red light, or changing lanes without signalling. 

Nonmoving violation: This violation, by contrast, is usually related to parking or faulty equipment. Examples include parking in front of a fire hydrant or on a crosswalk, expired tags, or talking on your cell phone.

Anyways, despite being aware of the road driving offences as a car owner, we’ll still put you through some basic Road driving offences. Still maintaining the Nigeria Highway Code, is an offence to:

• Drive a vehicle without a valid vehicle license or identification mark being displayed
• Overtake another vehicle wrongfully
• Disobey traffic light signals
• Disobey or disregard road signs or pavement markings
• Use your GSM phone while driving
• Fail to use belts while driving
• Drive a vehicle with worn tyres or without spare tyre

Common Traffic Violations and Consequences

• Driving without a valid license:  The punishment may either be a fine payment of #20,000 or imprisonment.
• Over Speeding: Though fines vary by state, the range is between #5,000 to #50,000 generally.
• Using Mobile Phones while driving:  Penalty includes fine payments ranging from #5,000 to #10,000.
•  Failure to wear a seatbelt:  Fine payment may probably be between #3,000 to #5,000 or more.
• Failure to obey traffic lights: especially when running a red light, the fine payment ranges from #10,000 to #50,000.

Ways of Fines Payment

• On-the-spot fines
• Online fines payment
• Court fines payment 

Enforcement Agencies

• Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC)
• State Traffic Management Agencies

Driving is a routine activity for most adults, and you will likely be confronted with a traffic violation at some point in your driving career. Ordinarily, these situations are straightforward and can be resolved by paying a fine. Sometimes, however, traffic violations are more serious, especially if they lead to an accident. So you should go through the traffic rules and regulations to avoid being a victim.