This post contains the Nigerian standard speed limits and legal speed control measures. Higher speed is very important in a collision. If you double the speed of a car, you increase its force of impact four times. If you triple the speed, the impact is nine times as great.
Speed causes many crashes. To avoid being fined or involved in a car crash, obey the road constructed speed limits. Sometimes, seeing “80km/hr Does Not Always Mean you should run 80km/hr”. Remember that speed limits show the fastest speed you may drive under good weather and road conditions.
You are responsible for adjusting your driving speed to the road conditions. For example, if the weather is bad or there is a lot of traffic, you must drive more slowly than the posted speed limit signs.
The safe speed is the one that allows you to have complete control of your vehicle and avoid collisions with other vehicles and pedestrians.
Just like the lane control signals, the speed limit signs are posted at the beginning of most federal or state roads speed zones; and drivers must drive no higher than that speed starting at the location of the posted sign and continuing until there is another posted speed limit change.
Below is a list of the Nigerian standard speed limits that you need to know as a Nigerian driver or foreigner.
The 6 Nigeria Standard Speed Limits (km/hr):
| Vehicle Type | Built-up Area | Highway | Express |
| Motorcycles | 50 | 50 | ——- |
| Private Cars | 50 | 80 | 100 |
| Taxi/Buses | 50 | 80 | 90 |
| Tankers/Trailers | 45 | 50 | 60 |
| Towing Vehicles | 45 | 45 | 45 |
| Wing Motoring | 50 | 60 | 70 |
Nigeria Standard Speed Limits Note:
Speed limits may be changed on other roadways and in areas where the conditions require lower speeds. For examples, speed limit in School Zones is 20km/hr; while in Business or Residential Area, speed limit is usually given as 30km/hr.
Drivers should not assume because the area appears to be a particular urban, municipality, business or highway area and assume that the speed is the standard or expected speed zone. The posted speed signs may be frequent changes from area to area along the selected roads or highways.
Again, driving Too Slowly is also against the Law. Always drive with the flow of traffic (within the speed limit). And do not drive so slowly that you block other vehicles moving at normal, safe speeds.
When driving slower than the flow of traffic, keep to the right of the road so others may safely pass. Please note that when the posted speed limit is 70 km/hr, the minimum speed limit is always 50 km/hr.
Wrapping up: The Nigeria Standard Speed Limits
Now you know the Nigerian Standard Speed Limits. Irrespective of your vehicle size, you are required by law to keep it within a specified speed limit on any given road.
As part of its commitment to manage road traffic crash in Nigeria, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in collaboration with the Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON) have rolled out different speed limiting devices to suite your vehicle type.
They are enforcing the use of speed limits to control the maximum speed limit on all types of Nigerian roads. We hope you will key into this initiative by purchasing and installing speed limit device in that your car or truck?
