Road Traffic Law Enforcement and Driver Accountability in Abuja: An Assessment of FRSC Operations

Road traffic accidents represent a leading cause of injury and death in Nigeria, with the Federal Capital Territory among the areas experiencing significant traffic-related casualties each year. The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), established under the Federal Road Safety Commission Act, bears primary responsibility for traffic law enforcement and accident prevention on Nigerian roads. This research assesses the effectiveness of FRSC law enforcement operations in Abuja, focusing on compliance rates, enforcement practices, and the legal accountability of drivers. A descriptive survey methodology was employed, combining observational data collected at five major enforcement checkpoints with structured questionnaires administered to 250 commercial and private vehicle drivers in Abuja. Secondary data was sourced from FRSC quarterly reports, National Bureau of Statistics accident data, and academic literature from 2020 to 2024. The findings indicate significant gaps between statutory enforcement mandates and actual operational practice, including inconsistent application of penalty points, widespread bribery at checkpoints, and inadequate follow-up on traffic offence prosecutions. The study identifies legal ambiguities in the definition of certain traffic offences as contributing to inconsistent enforcement outcomes. Recommendations include mandatory body camera deployment at FRSC checkpoints, decriminalisation of minor traffic infractions in favour of administrative penalties, and enhanced legal training for enforcement officers. This research contributes to traffic law and institutional accountability scholarship in Nigeria's Federal Capital Territory. Keywords: road safety, FRSC, traffic law, driver accountability, Abuja.