Operatives of the Directorate of Road Traffic Services (DRTS), otherwise known as Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO) are back to the roads of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, just as the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has appealed a court judgement barring them from stopping and impounding vehicles in the territory.
The Director of DRTS, Dr. Abdullateef Bello, stayed during a sensitization exercise to introduce a new operation, e-ticketing enforcement against all traffic offences in the Territory.
Dr. Bello noted that as a law-abiding entity, DRTS took necessary steps and appealed the court judgement, which barred it from stopping and impounding offending vehicles on Abuja roads; adding, it has resorted to using technological devices, which has legal backing.
Bello argued that extant laws of the FCT Transportation Secretariat allows the Service to use devices in maintaining safety on the roads across the Territory.
According to him, the Directorate has, therefore, acquired such technological devices that would record traffic infraction and issue electronic ticket to the offenders.
He said that the new system would automatically reduce physical interface between its enforcement officers and motorists and efficiently facilitate tracking and penalizing of road traffic offenders.
Bello added that a simulation exercise of the new system and staff trainings have taken place, and every other necessary machinery activated for the smooth take off of the initiative.
Abuja Digest gathered that any offender, who refuses to respond to the electronic tickets issued, would be made to pay for it at the point of vehicle license renewal, even as the system allows offenders to appeal the penalty.
His words: “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,” the Director emphasized.
He stressed that the court case against DRTS doesn’t stop evolution of new initiatives, “as the FCT Minister is by the laws allowed to make regulations on transportation issues.
“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,” the Director warned.
