Dh1,000 fine for rubbernecking introduced in UAE

According to the updated traffic rules, which came into force on July 1, motorists are fined Dh400 and receive four black points on their licence if their backseat passengers do not fasten their seatbShow more

DUBAI // A Dh1,000 fine for rubbernecking is one of many additions to a traffic law that came into effect on Saturday.

The updated law includes 19 new offences and existing violations have been amended, according to Maj Gen Mohammed Al Zafeen, assistant to the Dubai Police chief of operations and chairman of the Federal Traffic Council.

Maj Gen Al Zafeen said a fine for rubbernecking had been added because the act exacerbates traffic when accidents occur.

“It causes congestion and delays police, ambulance, or civil defence from reaching their destinations on time and from helping those in need,” he said.

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The penalty for driving quad bikes on public roads now includes a Dh3,000 fine and impounding the bike for 90 days.

However not all penalties were increased. Exceeding the speed limit by no more than 20km per hour was reduced from Dh500 to Dh300.

"We realize some people do it by mistake not habit," Maj Gen Al Zafeen said.

The fine for exceeding the speed limits by more than 60km was doubled to Dh2,000 with the motorist earning 12 black points and having their car impounded for 30 days.

A fine of Dh3,000 must be paid if a motorist is caught driving 80kmh over the speed. The offence will also result in 23 black points and the vehicle being impounded for 60 days.

"We left one point to give the driver a chance before their license is seized," Maj Gen Al Zafeen said.
Heftier fines were also added to heavy vehicle offences. Motorists can now be fined Dh3,000 for driving recklessly, causing damage to property, overtaking a car or causing an accident.

"We stiffened the fines related to heavy vehicles because of the grave danger they may cause," said Maj Gen Al Zafeen.

Motorists who do not stop when they see a stop sign flashed by a school bus driver, will pay a fine of Dh1000 and will be given 10 black points. The fine for a bus driver who does not use a stop sign is Dh500 and six black points.

"Failing to do so causes run over accidents that mainly kill students," said the Maj Gen Al Zafeen, adding that those who fail to pick their cars after the completion of impound period will be fined Dh50 for each day they were late.

He said that despite numerous warnings and awareness campaigns, parents still do not use the correct car seats for their children, an act that will earn the motorist a Dh400 fine.

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