Dubai Police reveal most unconvincing excuses for traffic offences

Police revealed some of the most unconvincing appeals as they urged drivers to adhere to the rules and show courtesy to other motorists.

DUBAI // A woman who was caught driving down the hard shoulder of a motorway three times in an hour tried to have her fines overturned by explaining she was late for lunch with a friend.

The excuse was among dozens revealed by Dubai Police from motorists seeking to appeal against their fines.

The woman had racked up Dh9,600 in fines and had her car confiscated by police.

“There is no justification for any driver to endanger the lives of other road users,” said Col Saif Al Mazroui, director of Dubai traffic police. “We will have zero tolerance with reckless drivers.”

In another case, a 45-year-old woman tried to have her fines quashed because her son had taken her car without her permission. She had tried to have the fines transferred to his licence.

And a driver went to police to appeal against a fine, only to be shown a video of his son recklessly driving his car without his knowledge.

“Drivers who visit the department always create fake stories to try to avoid paying fines,” said Maj Gen Mohammed Al Zafeen, assistant commander-in-chief of operations for Dubai Police.

“Often they will be surprised once we show them proof that they did commit the offence. In a few cases, the department will cancel fines if it can be shown there was a genuine emergency.”