ABU DHABI // A taxi driver was unable to work after being jailed and having his licence suspended for an accident that was not his fault, he told a court yesterday.
MA, an Egyptian who has lived in Abu Dhabi for two years, was found guilty last month of crossing a red light at a T-junction on 26th Street in the capital, and fined Dh2,000.
He was detained for two days after the accident on February 17, but allowed to leave after handing his passport over to police.
MA told the Appeals Court yesterday that the case against him was baseless.
He said the lights had changed when he was stuck in the junction in heavy traffic, unable to move forward or back.
"I did not cross a red traffic light, nor did I purposely stop in the middle of the T-junction," he said. "If only there was a camera you would have seen the truth."
His driving licence has been revoked pending the outcome of the case.
"I have been living for two months now without any pay because I cannot drive my taxi and have borrowed money to make ends meet."
Without a driving licence he had no way of earning enough to pay the Dh2,000 fine in order to get the licence back, he said.
A verdict is due on May 3.
newsdesk@thenational.ae
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Blackpink World Tour [Born Pink] In Cinemas
Starring: Rose, Jisoo, Jennie, Lisa
Directors: Min Geun, Oh Yoon-Dong
Rating: 3/5
In numbers
Number of Chinese tourists coming to UAE in 2017 was... 1.3m
Alibaba’s new ‘Tech Town’ in Dubai is worth... $600m
China’s investment in the MIddle East in 2016 was... $29.5bn
The world’s most valuable start-up in 2018, TikTok, is valued at... $75bn
Boost to the UAE economy of 5G connectivity will be... $269bn
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The specs
Engine: 2.7-litre 4-cylinder Turbomax
Power: 310hp
Torque: 583Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh192,500
On sale: Now
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Know before you go
- Jebel Akhdar is a two-hour drive from Muscat airport or a six-hour drive from Dubai. It’s impossible to visit by car unless you have a 4x4. Phone ahead to the hotel to arrange a transfer.
- If you’re driving, make sure your insurance covers Oman.
- By air: Budget airlines Air Arabia, Flydubai and SalamAir offer direct routes to Muscat from the UAE.
- Tourists from the Emirates (UAE nationals not included) must apply for an Omani visa online before arrival at evisa.rop.gov.om. The process typically takes several days.
- Flash floods are probable due to the terrain and a lack of drainage. Always check the weather before venturing into any canyons or other remote areas and identify a plan of escape that includes high ground, shelter and parking where your car won’t be overtaken by sudden downpours.
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MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League final:
Who: Real Madrid v Liverpool
Where: NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium, Kiev, Ukraine
When: Saturday, May 26, 10.45pm (UAE)
TV: Match on BeIN Sports
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Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989
Director: Goran Hugo Olsson
Rating: 5/5