Traffic offences are designed to ensure that drivers and car owners respect the right of other road users and make safety a priority at all times. However, despite the existence of traffic laws, some drivers flout these rules in complete disregard to the government agencies that established them.
Sometimes, these laws are flouted out of ignorance or from a place of taking the laws for granted. To ensure that such laws are protected, the government attaches penalties to them as a means of correcting erring drivers and road users.
In this piece, we will highlight a total of 80 traffic offences in Lagos as well as the penalties that come with breaking them. Have a look.
1. Violation of Routes by Commercial Vehicles
Point: 2
Penalty: 1st offender N20,000.00 | Subsequent offender N30,000.00
Additional: Impound vehicle in addition to counselling and enlightenment by LASDRI (Lagos State Drivers’ Institute)
2. Non Display of Route and Route Number on Vehicle
Point: 2
Penalty: 1st offender N20,000.00 | Subsequent offender N30,000.00
Additional: N/A
3. Disobeying Traffic Control Personnel
Point: 2
Penalty: 1st offender N20,000.00 | Subsequent offender N30,000.00
Additional: Impound vehicle in addition to LASDRI training
4. Parking on Yellow Line on a Public Highway/Illegal Parking
Point: 4
Penalty: 1st offender N20,000.00 | Subsequent offender N30,000.00
Additional: Impound vehicle in addition to LASDRI training
5. Neglect of Traffic Directions
Point: 2
Penalty: Forfeiture of the vehicle to the state
Additional: Six (6) month imprisonment/one (1) community service
6. Vehicle Crossing Double Yellow Line/Centre Line
Point: 4
Penalty: 1st offender N20,000.00 | Subsequent offender N30,000.00
Additional: Impound vehicle in addition to more training at LASDRI
7. Staying Within the Yellow Junction Box (Offside Rule)
Point: 3
Penalty: 1st offender N20,000.00 | Subsequent offender N30,000.00
Additional: Impound vehicle in addition to LASDRI training
8. Failure to Yield to Right of Way for Pedestrian at a Zebra Crossing
Point: 3
Penalty: 1st offender N20,000.00 | Subsequent offender N30,000.00
Additional: Impound vehicle in addition to LASDRI training
9. Failure to Give Way to Traffic on the Left at a Roundabout
Point: 2
Penalty: 1st offender N20,000.00 | Subsequent offender N30,000.00
Additional: Impound vehicle in addition to LASDRI training
10. Smoking/Drinking Alcohol While Driving
Point: 2
Penalty: 1st offender N20,000.00 | Subsequent offender N30,000.00
Additional: Three (3) months imprisonment or six (6) months community service
11. Riding Motorcycle Without a Crash Helmet for the Rider
Point: 1
Penalty: 1st offender N20,000.00 | Subsequent offender N30,000.00
Additional: N/A
12. Riding a Motorcycle Without a Rider’s Permit
Point: 1
Penalty: 1st offender N20,000.00
Additional: Impound motorcycle and collect permit before release
13. Riding a Motorcycle:
(i) Against traffic
(ii) On the kerb, median or road setbacks
Point: 2
Penalty: 1st offender N50,000.00 | Subsequent offender N100,000.00
Additional: Three (3) months imprisonment or six (6) months community service
14. Conveying More Than One Passenger at Any Given Time Both Rider and Passenger
Point: 2
Penalty: 1st offender N50,000.00 | Subsequent offender N100,000.00
Additional: Imprisonment for a term of three (3) months or both fine and imprisonment, six (6) months community service
15. Instalment of Musical Gadget on a Motorcycle
Point: 2
Penalty: 1st offender N20,000.00 | Subsequent offender N30,000.00
Additional: Forfeiture of the gadget, counselling/Enlightenment
16. Alteration of Manufacturer’s Specification on Motorcycle (e.g. Handle Bar/Leg)
Point: 2
Penalty: N20,000
Additional: In addition, revert back to manufacturer’s specification
17. Motorcyclist Resisting Arrest
Point: N/A
Penalty: 1st offender N20,000.00 | Subsequent offender N30,000.00
Additional: Additional LASDRI training before release
18. Driving Motor Vehicle/Motorcycle Without Side Mirrors, Indicators, Brake Lights or Rear Lights
Point: 2
Penalty: 1st offender N20,000.00 | Subsequent offender N30,000.00
Additional: Install/fix before release plus counselling and enlightenment at LASDRI
19. Wrongful Overtaking of Other Vehicle
Point: N/A
Penalty: 1st offender N20,000.00 | Subsequent offender N30,000.00
Additional: Imprisonment for a term of three (3) years or both fine and imprisonment
20. Under-Aged Person Riding a Motorcycle
Point: N/A
Penalty: 1st offender N20,000.00 | Subsequent offender N30,000.00
Additional: Dislodge rider and impound motorcycle
21. Motorcycle Operating Using Horn Designed For Motor Vehicles
Point: 1
Fine: 1st offender N20,000.00 | Subsequent offender N30,000.00
Additional: Remove horn and install normal specification
22. Operating a Motorcycle Below 200cc Engine Capacity
Point: 3
Penalty: N/A
Additional: Impound motorcycle
23. Exceeding Prescribed Speed Limit
Point: 2
Penalty: N100,000
Additional: Imprisonment for a term of two (2) years or both fine and imprisonment
24. Tailgating an Emergency Vehicle
Point: 3
Penalty: 1st offender N20,000.00 | Subsequent offender N30,000.00
Additional: Imprisonment for a term of three (3) years or both fine and imprisonment
25. Failure of Slow-Moving Vehicle to Keep to the Right Lane
Point: 2
Penalty: 1st offender N20,000.00 | Subsequent offender N30,000.00
Additional: Impound vehicle plus LASDRI training
27. Assault on a Traffic Officer (Physical)
Point: 3
Penalty: N100,000 or six (6) months imprisonment
Additional: Pay compensation to the assaulted officer
27. Driving in a Direction Prohibited by the Law / Neglect of Traffic Directions
Point: 4
Penalty: Forfeiture of the vehicle to the state
Additional: 1st offence – one (1) year imprisonment and forfeiture of the vehicle to the state. Second and subsequent offence attracts three years imprisonment and forfeiture of the vehicle to the state and capturing of data and biometrics
28. Illegal U-Turns
Point: 3
Penalty: 1st offender N20,000.00 | Subsequent offender N30,000.00
Additional: Driver training at LASDRI
29. Wrongful Overtaking of Other Vehicles
Point: 2
Penalty: 1st offender N50,000.00 | Subsequent offender N100,000.00
Additional: Imprisonment for a term of three (3) months or both fine and imprisonment or six (6) months community service
30. Overloading of a Commercial Vehicle on the Highway
Point: 4
Penalty: N50,000
Additional: Imprisonment for a term of three (3) months or six (6) months community service
31. Driving on the Walkway or Kerbs
Point: 4
Penalty: N50,000
Additional: Impound vehicle plus three (3) months imprisonment
32. Parking on the Walkway or Kerbs
Point: 3
Penalty: N20,000
Additional: Impound vehicle plus three (3) months imprisonment
33. Parking or Stopping to Pick Passengers by a Commercial Vehicle on the Highway – Both Driver and Passenger
Point: 3
Penalty: N50,000
Additional: Driver training at LASDRI or three (3) months imprisonment
34. Bullion Van Driving in a Direction Prohibited by Law
Point: 5
Penalty: Forfeiture of vehicle
Additional: Imprisonment for a term of three (3) years or payment of a fine of five hundred thousand naira (N500,000)
35. Abandoned Vehicle on Highway
Point: 2
Penalty: N500,000 plus cost of towing
Additional: Imprisonment for a term of three (3) months
36. Vehicle Causing Obstruction on Highway if Broken Down
Point: 3
Penalty: Commercial – N50,000.00 in addition to the cost of towing | Private – N25,000.00 in addition to cost of towing
Additional: N/A
37. Commuter or Conductor Hanging on Tailboard of Moving Vehicle
Point: 2
Penalty: 1st offender N20,000.00 | Subsequent offender N30,000.00
Additional: Dislodge and impound the vehicle
38. Vehicle With Doors Left Open
Point: 2
Penalty: 1st offender N20,000.00 | Subsequent offender N30,000.00
Additional: One (1) month community service in addition to fine
39. Making and Receiving Calls While Driving Without Hands-Free
Point: 2
Penalty: 1st offender N20,000.00 | Subsequent offender N30,000.00
Additional: Three (3) months community service
40. Texting/Reading Text Messages While Driving
Point: 2
Penalty: 1st offender N20,000.00 | Subsequent offender N30,000.00
Additional: Six (6) months community service
41. Counting Money or Otherwise Engage in Other Activities When Driving
Point: 2
Penalty: 1st offender N20,000.00 | Subsequent offender N30,000.00
Additional: Three (3) months community service
42. Driving Without a Strapped Seat Belt For Both Passengers
Point: 2
Penalty: 1st offender N20,000.00 | Subsequent offender N30,000.00
Additional: Impound vehicle/Strap on the seatbelt
43. Failure to Display Reflective Warning Sign at Point of Break Down
Point: 3
Penalty: 1st offender N20,000.00 | Subsequent offender N30,000.00
Additional: Procure standardised reflective sign before vehicle release
44. Motorist Resisting Arrest
Point: 2
Penalty: 1st offender N20,000.00 | Subsequent offender N30,000.00
Additional: Impound vehicle in addition to LASDRI training
45. Offence: Use of BRT Lite Corridor
Point: 3
Penalty: 1st offender N20,000.00 | Subsequent offender N30,000.00
Additional: Imprisonment for the term of six (6) months/one (1) year community service in addition to LASDRI training
46. Wilful Obstruction on Highway
Point: 2
Penalty: N50,000 in addition to the cost of towing
Additional: Imprisonment for a term of three (3) months or both fine and imprisonment
47. Storage Charge For Impounded Cars, Jeep and Mini-Buses Per Day
Point: N/A
Penalty: N1,000
Additional: N/A
48. Storage Charge For Impounded Motorcycles and Three Wheelers Per Day
Point: N/A
Penalty: N500.00
Additional: N/A
49. Storage Charge For All Other Impounded Vehicles (Six Wheelers and Above Per Day)
Point: N/A
Penalty: N2,000
Additional: N/A
50. Towing Impounded Cars, Jeeps and Mini-Buses
Point: N/A
Penalty: N10,000
Additional: N/A
51. Towing Other Commercial Vehicles Excluding Trailers (mini-buses)
Point: N/A
Penalty: N10,000
Additional: N/A
52. Towing a Trailer or Tanker (empty)
Point: N/A
Penalty: N50,000
Additional: N/A
53. Towing a Trailer or Tanker (loaded)
Point: N/A
Penalty: N100,000
Additional: N/A
54. Towing Tippers and Lorries (loaded)
Point: N/A
Penalty: N100,000
Additional: N/A
55. Towing Luxurious Buses
Point: N/A
Penalty: N50,000
Additional: N/A
56. Towing an Overnight Breakdown (trailer)
Point: N/A
Penalty: N100,000
Additional: N/A
57. Towing Tricycles
Point: N/A
Penalty: N2,000
Additional: N/A
58. Towing Motorcycles
Point: N/A
Penalty: N500
Additional: N/A
59. Hire of Heavy Duty Recovery Equipment (Towing / Recovery Fees)
Point: N/A
Penalty: N/A
Additional: At hirer’s cost
60. Failure to Pay Penalty Within Prescribed Time
Point: N/A
Penalty: N/A
Additional: Double the initial penalty
61. Operating Vehicle Within Restricted Routes or Beyond Approved Hour
Point: 3
Penalty: N50,000 / Impound vehicle
Additional: Optional – Six (6) months imprisonment / one (1) year community service
62. Not Painting a Commercial Vehicle in Approved Colours
Point: 4
Penalty: N25,000
Additional: Impound vehicle and enforce painting before release
63. Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol/Drugs
Point: 3
Penalty: N100,000
Additional: One (1) year imprisonment
64. Disobeying Traffic Light
Point: 2
Penalty: N10,000
Additional: Optional – Three (3) months imprisonment/Six (6) months community service
Additional Offences and the Penalties They Attract
Below are other traffic offences and the penalties that come with them as clearly stipulated in the Lagos State traffic law.
65. Driving Without a Valid Driver’s License
If you are caught driving without a valid driver’s licence by officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) or other traffic law management agency, it constitutes an offence and your vehicle will be impounded.
66. Driving With Fake Number Plate
If you are caught and found guilty of this, you will be fined N30,000 or you will be sentenced to 3 years in prison as a penalty for the violation.
67. Driving with Forged Vehicle Particulars
The Lagos state traffic law stipulates that anyone found guilty of driving with forged car documents will spend 6 months in prison as a penalty for the offence.
68. Driving With a Fake Driver’s License
Anyone found guilty of this violation will be sentenced to 6 months in prison in accordance with the Lagos traffic laws.
69. Driving a Kabu Kabu (Unpainted Taxi) Without Permit
In Lagos, ‘Kabu Kabu’ refers to cars mostly used for conveying passengers from one place to another. What differentiates them from the popular ‘yellow taxis’ in Lagos is the fact they are not painted. However, operators of such services are expected to have a permit for their cars. The traffic penalty for not having the required permit is to have such vehicles impounded.
70. Disobeying LASTMA Officials
Failure to comply with the instructions of a LASTMA official is considered a grave offence and a fine of N30,000 with the risk of having your car impounded if found guilty.
71. Smoking While Driving
Smoking while driving is considered a gross violation of the Lagos State traffic law and attracts a fine of N30,000 or getting your car impounded.
72. Driving Without Full Light
This is an offence that comes with a penalty of paying N50,000 as a fine
73. Driving WIth Tinted Glasses
If you are caught driving a car with tinted glass without having a ‘tint permit,’ you will pay a fine of N30,000
74. Driving With Worn Out Tyre
Driving a car with one or more tyres being worn out is a traffic offence and you can be fined N30,000 if your tyres are deemed to be in bad condition.
75. Driving Without a Fire Extinguisher
Having a fire extinguisher in your car is a safety precaution and if you are caught without one in your car, you will pay a fine of N30,000. A fire extinguisher is considered compulsory for all cars.
76. Driving Without a Spare Tyre
Getting caught without a spare tyre is a traffic offence and attracts a fine of N30,000.
77. Driving a Smoking Vehicle
The penalty for driving a car that in a condition that sees it emitting black smoke from its exhaust is paying a fine of N30,000.
78. Driving a car With a Broken Windscreen
if the windscreen of your car is broken, then it constitutes an offence to drive it. if caught driving such a car, the penalty is a fine of N30,000.
79. Eating and Driving
Eating behind the wheels is dangerous and should be avoided by all means. To underscore the gravity of this offence, it attracts a penalty of spending 3 months in prison if pronounced guilty.
80. One-Way Driving
One-way driving is a notorious traffic offence in Lagos and is made worse with the rising population of impatient drivers and road users. Most drivers resort to driving one-way as a means to beat traffic. however, it constitutes a traffic offence. The penalty for this is a prison sentence of 3 years. yes, it’s that serious.
Traffic Offences That Can Lead to the Forfeiture of Your Car
There are specific offences that trigger the forfeiture of your car. Below is a list of the violations that can result in the immediate forfeiture of your car:
- Violation of routes by commercial vehicles
- Disobeying traffic control personnel
- Parking on the yellow line on a public highway or illegal parking
- Neglect of traffic directions
- Vehicles crossing double yellow line/centre line
- Ignoring the offside rule by staying within the yellow junction box
- Failure to yield to the right of way of a pedestrian at a Zebra crossing
- Failure of a slow-moving vehicle to keep to the right lane
- Driving in a direction prohibited by the law and neglect of traffic directions
- Overloading of a commercial vehicle
- Park or driving on the walkway or kerbs
- Bullion van driving in a direction prohibited by law
- Unlicensed motorcyclists will also lose their bikes
- Motorcycles below 200 cc and bikes driven by minors will be impounded
Final Thoughts on Traffic Offences
For traffic offences, special courts will be created to try offenders, who will be made to serve their punishment if found guilty at the point of contravention.
Finally, remember that ignorance of the law is not an excuse. In addition, ensure you buy your car from trusted dealers to avoid buying cars that break down in the middle of the road and end up constituting a nuisance on traffic. What are your thoughts about these offences and the penalties that come with them? Kindly share your thoughts with us in the comment section.