…Gives 7 days grace to defaulting motorists
By Joyce Remi-Babayeju
The Directorate of Road Traffic Services ,DRTS, of the Federal Capital Territory Administration , FCTA, has bounced back into operations with the commencement of e-ticketing enforcement for all traffic offences.
Diretor DRTS, Dr Abdullateef Bello, disclosed this on Monday after a sensitization operation carried out on the new technology driven road traffic enforcement.
Bello stated that the service has resorted to the use of technological devices for operations with legal backing after a court order stopping physical impoundment of violating vehicles.
He explained that the Service as a law abiding entity had to find an alternative step and appealed the court judgement, which stopped them from impounding offending vehicles on Abuja roads.
He noted that the FCT Transportation Secretariat’s extant
laws allow DRTs to use devices in maintaining safety on the roads across the territory.
Bello explained that the Service has acquired technological devices that will record traffic infraction within a few minutes issue electronic tickets to the offenders.
According to him, the new system will automatically reduce physical interface between its enforcement officers and motorists but very efficient at tracking and penalising road traffic offences.
Bello disclosed that simulation of the new system and staff trainings have taken place, while every necessary machinery has been activated for the smooth take off of the initiatives.
Furthermore,offenders who refuse to respond to the penalising electronic tickets that would be issued would be made to pay for it at the point of vehicle license renewal. It was also said that offenders have a system that enables them to appeal the penalty.
He said, “ In compliance with the FCT Transportation Secretariat’s strategy of e-enforcement and penalty system, the DRTS has today, Monday 17th February 2025, commenced e-ticketing and central booking of traffic offenders.”
“ And henceforth, all violators of traffic issues will now be booked electronically, and they will be served with their tickets for seven days. If they fail to pay the fine, then the vehicle will be impounded henceforth.”
The court case against the service doesn’t stop the new initiatives, as the FCT Minister is by the laws allowed to make regulations on transportation issues.”
“ But as our core mandate and as the law provides, the law empowers the Honourable Minister to make regulations on transport issues, and we have been saddled with that responsibility to carry out that mandate. “
“ We are back on the road, and we will now impound vehicles only when you fail to pay your fines within seven days. “
The DRTS will not be stopping vehicles at random now because the devices will select those that are not adequately in line with the position of law, and those are the ones we will be dealing with henceforth, he said.
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