The new traffic laws are split into several sub-categories with each implying a different penalty amount.  Following is as close a translation of the new laws which were released in Amharic.  There are more than a few ambiguities but these are not a result of translation and we have elected to not try clarifying them as that would require us to make assumptions which may not necessarily be accurate.  A verified translation will be made available as soon as possible.

For the Amharic version, download or open this document .

Level 1 Penalty Offenses

1. Inappropriately towing a vehicle
2. Driving/herding animals onto a roadway
3. Driving a vehicle without complete cargo support (spanda)
4. Sounding a horn inappropriately (in an inappropriate location)
5. Usage of a horn that sounds inappropriate
6. Not marking excessive loads
7. Driving a vehicle that emits a significant amount of smoke
8. Conducting driving instruction without affixing a learners notice on the vehicle
9. Conducting driving instruction outside of designated areas
10. Conducting driving instruction outside of designated hours
11. Erecting a tent for a funeral on a roadway without prior permission or immediately informing the nearest police station subsequent to the act
12. Having a vehicle washed on a road
13. Pedestrians crossing or walking on roads or interchanges where signs are posted forbidding the same
14. Pedestrians crossing the Ring Road or any other road outside of designated crossing areas
15. Pedestrians crossing a road that is prohibited for pedestrians
16. Walking on a roadway meant for vehicles where pedestrian walkways are present
17. Conducting business on a roadway
18. Not carrying a First Aid kit in a vehicle
19. Splashing a pedestrian with water
20. Not cleaning up debris from a roadway as may be caused by a car accident or breakdown

1. Flashing indicators in a direction towards which the vehicle is not moving
2. Entering the flow of traffic from a parked position or exiting the flow of traffic without indicators
3. Carrying passengers on the exterior of a vehicle
4. Abandoning the direction of an arrow
5. Driving slowly from a position other than the right hand edge of a road
6. Driving backward inappropriately
7. Denying the right of way to an oncoming vehicle
8. Parking in a restricted area
9. Parking on a traffic island
10. Parking on a bridge
11. Parking next to a traffic sign
12. Parking next to a traffic light
13. Not exercising appropriate care in the vicinity of railroad tracks
14. Driving with lights off when the vehicle is equipped with lights and it is appropriate to turn them on
15. Driving without a driver’s license
16. Not renewing a driver’s license in a timely manner
17. Providing driving instruction without a permit for doing so
18. Driving a vehicle with a damaged or covered license plate
19. Driving under the speed limit
20. Pushing or pulling a hand operated cart on a main road
21. Driving outside of lane markings

1. Changing the direction of a vehicle without indicators to this effect 25 meters away from the change of direction
2. Driving contrary to traffic signs that restrict operation
3. Driving contrary to traffic signs
4. Passing an island on the left hand side
5. Parking on a narrow road
6. Parking on a turn
7. Crossing a median (island or marking)
8. Operating a motorcycle without a helmet or carrying a passenger on a motorcycle without a helmet
9. Repairing a disabled vehicle on a road
10. Overloading a vehicle with more passengers or cargo than allowed
11. Not appropriately securing or covering cargo carried on top of a vehicle
12. Covering windows with curtains or stickers without permission
13. Placing or arranging to have placed rocks, gravel or sand on a road without permission
14. Engaging in actions that otherwise obstruct traffic
15. Attaching an inappropriate object on a vehicle
16. Not placing an inspection sticker (bolo) on a vehicle
17. Placing signs, posters or any other bodies by a road or on a median that can obstruct drivers’ vision
18. Digging up a roadway and not returning it to its original state

1. Loading or unloading passengers while a vehicle is in motion
2. Parking in front of a vehicle entrance or exit
3. Neglecting to have an annual safety inspection performed for a vehicle
4. Operating a vehicle which has obvious flaws
5. Operating a vehicle without a complete set of lights
6. Double parking
7. Turning from a lane that that is not adjacent to the direction of the turn
8. Driving over a traffic island
9. Using high beams in the city
10. Leaving a disabled car on a road without warning reflectors
11. Parking a heavy truck on a road for more than 2 hours
12. Operating chain driven or slow moving (10 km/hour or below) vehicles on a road
13. Parking in a bus loading zone
14. Operating a heavy vehicle that is not equipped with reflectors on the rear of the vehicle

Level 5 Penalty Offenses

1. Driving with an inappropriate driver’s license
2. Not yielding the right of way at an intersection
3. Not yielding the right of way when appropriate
4. Blocking a turn lane for a following vehicle
5. Passing another vehicle inappropriately
6. Operating a vehicle while its door is open
7. Loading a vehicle with cargo that exceeds the permitted height, length or width for that vehicle
8. Blocking a pedestrian walkway without permission
9. Employing a pedestrian walkway for uses other than it was designated for
10. Erecting a tent on a road without police permission except for funerals
11. Not complying with instructions from a police officer or voluntary traffic assistants
12. Operating a vehicle with a child 7 years or younger in the front seat
13. Using a road traffic sign without permission from the appropriate authority

Level 6 Penalty Offenses

1. Driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs, khat or shisha
2. Using a headset to listen to music or a phone conversation
3. Operating a vehicle while conducting a phone conversation with a handheld or vehicle mounted mobile phone
4. Driving a vehicle without fastening the seatbelt or enforcing that others do the same
5. Driving a vehicle with the radio or CD playing at a high volume
6. Driving without being licensed to do so
7. Providing a vehicle to another driver whose license (or other proof of licensing) has not been verified
8. Failing to yield to a pedestrian
9. Running a red light
10. Driving over the speed limit
11. Parking by a water filling station for a fire engine vehicle
12. Failing to yield to emergency vehicles
13. Parking at the entrance to a hospital or fire station
14. Parking on a pedestrian walkway
15. Parking on a pedestrian crossing
16. Operating a vehicle without any lights
17. Driving on a prohibited road or in a prohibited direction
18. Loading or unloading passengers or cargo in the middle of a road
19. Driving away from the scene of  an accident
20. Operating a vehicle while watching television or video
21. Giving money to panhandlers or buying any merchandise at a traffic light or intersection or at any point on a roadway
22. Damaging, changing, removing or placing advertisements on traffic signs
23. Using a vehicle for a purpose other than it is permitted to

There is a seventh category of offenses punishable by fines of ETB 300-700 which are basically levied when violation of existing laws results in accidents causing damage of some kind.