In a bid to enhance road safety and streamline traffic enforcement in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has unveiled an electronic ticketing and central booking system for traffic offenders. The initiative, announced by Dr. Abdullateef Bello, Director of the Directorate of Road Traffic Services (DRTS), on Monday, is set to revolutionize how traffic violations are managed in the city.
With the new electronic ticketing system, enforcement officers no longer need to randomly stop vehicles. Instead, advanced technological devices will automatically detect infractions and issue electronic tickets within minutes, ensuring a more efficient and transparent process for both motorists and authorities. This move, according to Bello, is a critical step toward improving road safety by leveraging technology to monitor and penalize traffic violations effectively.
The initiative comes in response to a Federal High Court ruling on October 3, 2024, which prohibited the DRTS from impounding vehicles, stopping motorists, or imposing fines without clear legal authority. While the DRTS has appealed the ruling, the new system adheres to the existing laws under the Federal Capital Territory Transportation Secretariat, offering a legal framework for ticketing and enforcement.
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Under the new system, offenders will have seven days to pay their fines, with non-compliance potentially affecting vehicle license renewals. Motorists also have the option to appeal the electronic tickets. In preparation for the system’s launch, DRTS officers were thoroughly trained, and a simulation exercise was conducted to ensure a smooth implementation.
By reducing direct interactions between enforcement officers and motorists, this electronic ticketing initiative is expected to improve compliance with traffic regulations in Abuja, enhance road safety, and foster a more efficient, technology-driven approach to traffic management.
This development follows a pivotal ruling from Justice Evelyn Maha in October 2024, which saw the Federal High Court take a stand against the unlawful actions of the DRTS in stopping and fining motorists.
