Dubai: 6 traffic violations that invite fines of Dh50,000
Image Credit: Gulf News
Highlights
- The traffic fines for most offences will be the same.
- The amended law focuses on value of releasing impounded vehicles, which has been raised under the new rules.
- The law specifically targets motorists who intentionally committed these violations, say Dubai Police.
Dubai: A staggering fine of Dh50,000 will be slapped on motorists found guilty of six specific traffic violations, as part of Dubai’s enhanced measures to ensure road safety.
In a press conference held on Friday, Dubai Police unveiled the details of the New Traffic Law.
Image Credit: Aghaddir Ali | Gulf News
The main aim, he explained, is to preserve lives and property and deter reckless drivers, especially after many violations were recorded on the roads and caused deaths.
The official said the decree covers specific violations, including the release of impounded vehicles.
558
Number of vehicles impounded for jumping a red light in Dubai from 2019 to 2022.
A committee reviewed dangerous violations before deciding on some of the provisions of the decree, according to what is appropriate for each case, proving intentionality and associating the violation with actions that would endanger the lives of others and damaging property, the official said.
During the same period, there were 558 vehicles impounded for jumping a red light.
Brig. bin Suwaidan, Deputy Director of the General Department of Traffic at Dubai Police, clarified the reasoning behind the amendments, stating that the new fines are targeted at a category of drivers whose reckless conduct poses a significant threat to public safety.
The six cases that will warrant a fine of up to Dh50,000, as announced by the Dubai Police, include:
- Operating recreational motorcycles on paved roads;
- Driving recklessly or in a manner that poses a threat to life or property;
- Crossing a red light;
- Driving with an artificial, forged, or tampered license plate;
- Intentionally causing damage to, or ramming into, a police vehicle; and
- Allowing a person under the age of 18 to operate the vehicle.
Vehicle impounding system
Earlier last week, Dubai announced new changes to its vehicle impounding system as part of an effort to promote road safety.
The changes were introduced through Decree No. 30 of 2023, issued by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, amending certain articles of Decree No. 29 of 2015 related to vehicle impounding.
These updates are aimed at strengthening the enforcement of penalties, reducing accidents, and fostering a safer road environment.
Under the new changes, specific cases have been outlined for administrative and obligatory vehicle impounding. This includes impounding vehicles involved in unauthorised road races and recreational motorcycles operating on paved roads.
Deportation
Additionally, non-Emirati drivers of heavy-duty trucks who run red lights will face deportation, and a fine of Dh50,000 will be imposed on those who commit this offense.
Dubai Police will also have the authority to impound vehicles that have been modified to increase speed or produce excessive noise. Moreover, vehicles with traffic fines exceeding Dh 6,000 or those with fake or unclear license plates will also be subject to seizure.
Reckless driving, evading the police, and engaging in dangerous activities or unauthorized road races will lead to vehicle impounding.
Dh100,000 fine
Fees have been outlined for impounding vehicles; for instance, participating in a road race without police permission will result in an Dh100,000 impounding fee, while operating a recreational motorcycle on a paved road will incur Dh50,000 fee.
For offenses such as crossing red lights, using fake or altered number plates, intentionally damaging police vehicles, or driving under the age of 18, motorists will have to pay Dh50,000 to release their impounded vehicles.
Meanwhile, those who modify their vehicles to increase speed, evade the police, drive without license plates, or engage in disruptive activities will face an Dh10,000 fine for release.
Daily fee of Dh50 for impounded vehicles
Impounded vehicles can only be released after all fines have been paid, violations have been rectified, and any other conditions set by Dubai Police have been met. Additionally, a daily fee of Dh50 will be charged if an impounded vehicle is not claimed after the specified impounding period.
The amendments also stipulate that the impounding period will be doubled if the same offense is committed within one year, with a maximum period of 90 days and a release amount not exceeding Dh 200,000.
