Despite the Addis Ababa Traffic Management Authority's recent decision to lift penalty points for non-accident violations, drivers report that ongoing issues with monetary fines and accumulated interest continue to cause unjust distress.
Most drivers stated they receive text notifications regarding unpaid penalties with added interest a year later, completely unaware that they had ever been fined. Sharing his frustration, one driver noted, "I didn't even know I was penalized, and no text message reached me at the time.
A text arrived a year later stating I have an unpaid fine of 23,000 birr that has accumulated interest." Another complainant explained that she only uses her driver's license as an identity card since she does not know how to drive, yet she received warnings for fines and interest without ever getting behind the wheel.
Complaints do not end there, as parking fee complications have become another pressing issue. Drivers reported that due to system glitches or oversights when entering and exiting hotel and terminal parking lots, accumulated parking fees surged up to 288,000 birr nearly a year and a half later, according to complainants speaking to Sheger Radio.
It is recalled that the authority shifted from revoking licenses and license plates to enforcing penalties through a digital system starting in January of last year. The regulation designed to monitor road transport controllers and drivers stipulates that a driver's license will be suspended if penalty points reach 14, and a 5% daily interest is added if fines remain unpaid after 10 days.
Responding to the grievances, Addis Ababa Traffic Management Authority Public Relations and Communication Director W/ro Genet Dibaba stated that traffic controllers have been instructed to hand out physical violation tickets alongside digital enforcement. For drivers who did not receive text alerts, the Director pointed out that they can check their information by visiting nearby branch offices or by downloading the "Driver App" from the Play Store or App Store.
Asserting that there are no technical flaws within the system itself, the Director confirmed that drivers claiming they did not receive text messages can visit branch offices to clarify and resolve any gaps with the responsible parties.
Weighing in on the matter, ET Technology General Engineer Ato Israel Brook remarked that implementing new technology naturally comes with transitional friction. He emphasized that because humans are prone to forgetting single-notification alerts, the system requires software upgrades that send out multi-reminders.
The primary goal of digital systems is to modernize urban traffic services rather than turning citizens' memory lapses into a direct source of revenue generation, the expert noted.
He advised that instead of accumulating daily penalties for minor parking and traffic infractions, authorities should implement systems where drivers can settle accumulated payments proportionally during annual technical inspections or license renewals.
