In August 2024, the Council of Ministers decided it was time to introduce a new road transport tariff regulation. Simply put, if you mess up behind the wheel, your bank account will feel it.
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In August 2024, the Council of Ministers decided it was time to introduce a new road transport tariff regulation. Simply put, if you mess up behind the wheel, your bank account will feel it. The fines start at 500 Birr and can go up to 20,000 Birr, depending on how creatively you choose to break the law. But, there’s a silver lining: you have the right to appeal. (Whether that works out for you is a whole different conversation.)
The offenses are grouped into three categories. The first includes offenses like distracted driving or placing a child under 13 in the front seat, which will cost you 500 Birr. If you’re the type who misuses the horn, parks like you're the only one on the road, or drives slower than your grandma for no reason, that’s a 1,000 Birr offense. The third category includes more serious violations like using a mobile phone while driving, switching lanes recklessly, or ignoring seat belt rules, and yes, those cost 1,500 Birr. And for those who believe traffic signs are mere suggestions, parking or stopping in prohibited areas will run you a clean 3,000 Birr.
Other African Countries And Their Traffic Fines
Let's take South Africa, for instance, the most common offense in the country is speeding, which is fined ranging from R250 to R2,500(1,796.89-17,968.86 ETB) depending on the level of excess speed. Repetition of this offense will lead to license suspension. Driving under the influence can range up to R120,000(862,505 ETB). Repeated offenses will end up in imprisonment up to 6 years. Reckless driving ranges from R1,000 to R5,000(7187.54-35,937.72 ETB). Serious cases may lead to a prison sentence of up to 3 years.
In Nigeria, offenses like riding a motorcycle without a helmet and Road obstruction are fined N3,000(249.67 ETB). Failure to install a speed limiting device is fined N2,000(166.45 ETB). And Road marking violations are fined N5,000(416.12 ETB).
The conversion rate on April 29, 2025, was 1 South African Rand = 7.19 ETB and 1 Nigerian Naira = 0.083 ETB (This is the rate we used to convert to ETB above).
Traffic Accident Rates In Ethiopia
Africa generally has the highest rate of road traffic deaths at 26.6 per 100,000 people, and the rate of traffic accidents in developing nations like those in Africa is more than twice as high as in industrialized nations, with 32.2 crashes per 100,000 persons in Africa compared to 13.4/100,000 in Europe. Government reports for Ethiopia show that more than 3000 Ethiopians lose their lives and 10,000 are injured annually due to road traffic accidents.
In the Addis Ababa city administration, a recent study indicated the fatality rate is 16.1% or above. This exceeds 100 fatalities per 10,000 vehicles in Addis Ababa, which is significantly higher than figures for Kenya (about 19 per 10,000 vehicles) and the United Kingdom (about 2 per 10,000 vehicles).
These numbers may be even higher when considering accidents that go unreported. Over eleven years (2007/8 - 2017/18), a total of 36,796 deaths, 54,731 serious injuries, and 58,987 light injuries were recorded in the country. The data indicates that the number of fatalities and injuries has been rising over this period, although the total number of accidents fluctuates. The occurrence of traffic accidents in Ethiopia is increasing due to rapid motorization without appropriate regulation. While the total number of accidents fluctuated, the number of deaths and injuries steadily climbed. The core problem? A country is undergoing rapid motorization without the policies and infrastructure to catch up. It’s like handing out cars without giving out common sense.
With the rising cost of living, these new fines might feel like an added burden for many drivers already trying to stay afloat. But at the same time, road safety remains a serious issue, and the numbers speak for themselves. Stricter enforcement, if applied fairly and consistently, could help reduce accidents and protect both drivers and pedestrians.
As with any new policy, its real impact will depend on how it’s implemented. Whether it brings lasting change or just becomes another line item in the budget, only time will tell. For now, awareness and cautious driving may be the safest and most cost-effective way forward.
