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.
Maj. Gen. Abdullah Ali Al Ghaithi, Assistant Commander-in-Chief for Operations Affairs at Dubai Police, said on Friday that the new traffic rules are in accordance with Decree No. (30) of 2023, which amended some articles of Decree (29) of 2015 regarding impoundment of vehicles in the Emirate of Dubai.
The main aim, he explained, is to preserve lives and property and deter reckless drivers, especially after numerous violations were recorded on the roads and caused deaths.
164
Number of deaths in four years due to serious violationsThe official said the new amendments cover specific violations, including conditions for the release of impounded vehicles.
855
Number of vehicles impounded for jumping a red light in Dubai from 2019 to 2022.Brig. Juma bin Suwaidan, Acting Director of the General Department of Traffic, explained that each case is presented to a specialised committee in the General Department of Traffic to determine whether the violation rises to the level of applying this fine or not.
He added the new amendments to the law concerning vehicle impoundment, which cover 13 types of violations, including seven new points added as part of the second article.
Impounded vehicles due to overspeeding: 34
Impounded vehicles due to driving in a manner endangering lives: 1,929
Impounded vehicles due to jumping red signal: 855
Number of deaths in four years due to these violations: 164
Injuries in four years: 3,263
On the newly-launched campaign, Lt. Col Dr Saud Al Rumaithi explained that the drive will run over seven weeks.
“It consists of two stages, the first being ‘The Awareness and Education Phase', while the second will measure the impact and results of this awareness on the motorists," he said.
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.
Violations include:
- Jumping red lights.
- Driving with fake or obscured number plates.
- Deliberately colliding with police cars.
- Allowing individuals under 18 to drive vehicles.
- Gathering to watch or participate in illegal races.
The fine for releasing an impounded vehicle for these violations is Dh 50,000 .
Additionally, violations also include:
- Driving without license plates.
- Gathering to watch or participate in disorderly crowding around races or vehicle stunts on the road.
- Exceeding the permissible tinting limit for vehicle windows.
The fine for releasing an impounded vehicle for these violations is Dh 10,000.
Dh100,000 fine
Brigadier Bin Suwaidan stated that the remaining six grounds for impounding vehicles include "participating in road races without prior permission from the police", with a Dh 100,000 fine.
Additional violations include "riding recreational motorcycles on paved roads" and "recklessly driving in a way that endangers lives, property, and public safety in the Emirate". The fines for these two offences are set at Dh50,000 each.
He added that the fine for the violation of "making fundamental changes to the vehicle that result in an increase in the set speed or noise during operation or driving" and the offence of "escaping from the police" amount to Dh10,000 each.
The final violation is "exceeding the financial fine imposed on the vehicle by Dh 6,000"; the penalty for this offence involves paying the accumulated fine amount.
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.
3,263
Number of vehicular accident-related injuries due to serious traffic violations from 2019 to 2022Deportation
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.
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.
