OCTOBER 1: Deadline on Speed Limiter

October 1, 2016 is the deadline for the installation of speed limiters in vehicles across Nigeria. Taking a quote from Jonas Agwu (Asst. corps marshal FRSC) weekly publication in the Sun’s Newspaper he wrote “I will be on the road looking out for defaulters whose vehicles will be on the road without the speed limiters, which is mandatory for all vehicles”. Though the October 1, deadline effects only commercial vehicles.

The new deadline is coming on the heels of the final approval by the president to begin the enforcement of the speed-limiting device from October 1, 2016. The enforcement was initially to commence partially on June 1, 2015 while full enforcement was to commence on September 1, 2015 but after a plea by stakeholders it was moved to 1^st of 2016 by the president who thereafter moved it to October 1, 2016.

It has been identified by stakeholders and the National assembly as timely in view of the need to apply technology that is cost effective and adaptable with capacity to regulate vehicle speed and checkmate the increasing spate of speed- related road traffic crashes. A meeting was convened to announce the president’s new date. The FRSC was particularly interested in enforcing the speed-limiting device so as to reduce road accident. It is important to note that the statutory powers on the regulation on the compulsory use of speed limiting device on vehicles in Nigeria is contained in the FRSC Establishment Act(2007) and the National Road Traffic Regulation 2012. In section 10, sub section (m) of the (Establishment) Act 2007, the commission is empowered in “determining and enforcing speed limits for all categories of roads and vehicles and controlling the use of speed limiting devices”.