The operatives of the Directorate of Road Traffic Services (DRTS) of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), popularly known as VIOs, are now back on Abuja roads with the commencement of e-ticketing enforcement for all traffic offences.
They were last year barred by a court from either arresting motorists or impounding their vehicles in the nation’s capital.
But the DRTS’s Director, Dr Abdullateef Bello, on Monday in Abuja, said his men were now back on the roads using new technology driven road traffic enforcement.
Bello, who spoke after a sensitization operation on the new technology, noted that while the Service, as a law-abiding entity, took the necessary steps and appealed the court’s judgement, which barred it from stopping and impounding offending vehicles on Abuja roads, it has resorted to using technological devices which has legal backing.
He explained that the FCT Transportation Secretariat’s extant laws allows DRTS to use devices in maintaining safety on the roads across the territory.
According to him, the Service has acquired technological devices that will record traffic infractions and immediately or within a few minutes issue electronic tickets to the offenders.
He further said that the new system would automatically reduce physical interface between its enforcement officers and motorists but be very efficient at tracking and penalising road traffic offences.
Bello disclosed that simulation of the new system and staff training have taken place, while every necessary machinery has been activated for the smooth take off of the initiatives.
It was learnt that 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, February 17, 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.”
He added that 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.”(Daily trust)
