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Gulf News
19-04-2025
- Automotive
- Gulf News
Caught on Camera: Shocking UAE crash videos warn against mobile phone use
Dubai: UAE authorities have intensified their nationwide campaign against distracted driving under the theme "Driving Without a Phone," urging motorists to put away their mobile phones and remain fully focused while behind the wheel. Despite repeated awareness initiatives, a significant number of drivers in the UAE continue to engage with their mobile phones behind the wheel —whether to text, take calls, or browse social media—thereby endangering not only their own lives but also those of passengers, pedestrians, and other road users. Law enforcement agencies continue to emphasise a core safety message: avoid mobile phone use while driving to protect all road users. "Even a momentary distraction caused by using a mobile phone can result in a major accident," Abu Dhabi Police stated on social media. "We consistently stress the importance of eliminating all distractions while driving to ensure personal and public safety." Unified Gulf Traffic Week concludes The campaign formed part of the broader Unified Gulf Traffic Week, hosted by Sharjah Police in collaboration with the Federal Traffic Council and other strategic partners. The initiative featured a range of public engagement activities, including safety workshops, educational lectures, live demonstrations, and exhibitions of advanced traffic enforcement technologies. In parallel, various police commands across the UAE organised localised events to reinforce road safety messages. These included distribution of educational materials, awareness lectures, panel discussions, and community forums. The Ministry of Interior reaffirmed its commitment to conducting coordinated annual safety campaigns in partnership with GCC member states. These efforts aim to raise public awareness, highlight the risks associated with distracted driving, and promote strict adherence to traffic regulations. 648,631 mobile driving violations in 2024 The scale of the issue is evident in recent data: 648,631 violations for mobile phone use while driving were recorded across the UAE in 2024 alone. Drivers are identified either through direct observation by traffic patrols or via advanced smart surveillance systems installed nationwide. Authorities have warned that all forms of mobile phone use—including texting, calling, photography, and video recording—while driving considerably increase the risk of accidents. Strict Penalties for Offenders To further deter distracted driving, the UAE has implemented stringent penalties, including: A fine of Dh800 Four black points on the driver's licence 30-day vehicle impoundment, a rule enforced by Dubai Police since October 2024 Officials continue to stress that no message, call, or photo is worth risking a life. The ongoing campaign aims to instill greater awareness and accountability among all road users to ensure safer roads across the nation.
Dubai Eye
29-03-2025
- Dubai Eye
Heftier fines, jail term for traffic violators under UAE's new laws
Imprisonment and penalties of up to AED 200,000 will come into effect for a number of traffic violations starting Saturday, March 29, as the UAE amends the law to improve road safety. A decree, issued last October, outlined the penalties for serious offences like driving under the influence or fleeing the scene of an accident, misusing licence plates or driving with a suspended licence. Those crossing at undesignated areas on roads with speed limits over 80 km per hour could face jail term or fines ranging between AED5,000 and AED10,000 if they cause an accident. Currently, jaywalking results in a AED400 fine. Stricter punishment also awaits those caught driving under the influence, with fines ranging between Dh20,000-Dh100,000, a jail term or both. The driving licence will also be suspended between 3 and 6 months for repeat offenders and cancellation for the third instance. Those driving under the influence of drugs will face penalties between AED 30,000 and Dh200,000, and a jail term, with repeat offenders having their licence suspended for up to a year, and cancelled for third-time offenders. Fleeing an accident or failure to stop or provide information to the police after causing an accident could lead to a prison term of not more than two years and/or fines ranging between AED 50,000 to AED 100,000. Reckless drivers who cause the death of another person will be imprisoned and fined AED 50,000. And, if the accident happens under "severe circumstances" like driving under the influence or through flooded areas, then the penalty will be at least one year in jail and/or AED100,000 in fines. View this post on Instagram A post shared by ARN News Centre (@arnnewscentre) A jail term of up to three months and/or a fine of AED 10,000 will be handed to those caught driving with a suspended licence. If found driving with a foreign licence unrecognised by the UAE, fines ranging between AED2,000 and AED10,000 will be handed to first-time offenders. For repeat offenders, the penalty will go up to AED 50,000 and/or a jail term of not less than three months. The decree, published in October, also detailed a streamlined online licensing system that will be managed by the Minister of Interior or local licensing authorities in each emirate. Additionally, a new 'Federal Traffic Council' will be established, with its structure and responsibilities defined by a cabinet resolution. The law also reduced the legal age for securing a driving licence from 18 years to 17 years, and outlined new rules for electric and self-driving cars. A cabinet resolution will outline the procedures for inspecting, licensing and renewing licences for self-driving cars, alongside mechanisms for testing new vehicle technologies.
TAG 91.1
28-03-2025
- TAG 91.1
Heftier fines, jail term for traffic violators under UAE's new laws
Imprisonment and penalties of up to AED 200,000 will come into effect for a number of traffic violations starting Saturday, March 29, as the UAE amends the law to improve road safety. A decree, issued last October, outlined the penalties for serious offences like driving under the influence or fleeing the scene of an accident, misusing licence plates or driving with a suspended licence. Those crossing at undesignated areas on roads with speed limits over 80 km per hour could face jail term or fines ranging between AED5,000 and AED10,000 if they cause an accident. Currently, jaywalking results in a AED400 fine. Stricter punishment also awaits those caught driving under the influence, with fines ranging between Dh20,000-Dh100,000, a jail term or both. The driving licence will also be suspended between 3 and 6 months for repeat offenders and cancellation for the third instance. Those driving under the influence of drugs will face penalties between AED 30,000 and Dh200,000, and a jail term, with repeat offenders having their licence suspended for up to a year, and cancelled for third-time offenders. Fleeing an accident or failure to stop or provide information to the police after causing an accident could lead to a prison term of not more than two years and/or fines ranging between AED 50,000 to AED 100,000. Reckless drivers who cause the death of another person will be imprisoned and fined AED 50,000. And, if the accident happens under "severe circumstances" like driving under the influence or through flooded areas, then the penalty will be at least one year in jail and/or AED100,000 in fines. View this post on Instagram A post shared by ARN News Centre (@arnnewscentre) A jail term of up to three months and/or a fine of AED 10,000 will be handed to those caught driving with a suspended licence. If found driving with a foreign licence unrecognised by the UAE, fines ranging between AED2,000 and AED10,000 will be handed to first-time offenders. For repeat offenders, the penalty will go up to AED 50,000 and/or a jail term of not less than three months. The decree, published in October, also detailed a streamlined online licensing system that will be managed by the Minister of Interior or local licensing authorities in each emirate. Additionally, a new 'Federal Traffic Council' will be established, with its structure and responsibilities defined by a cabinet resolution. The law also reduced the legal age for securing a driving licence from 18 years to 17 years, and outlined new rules for electric and self-driving cars. A cabinet resolution will outline the procedures for inspecting, licensing and renewing licences for self-driving cars, alongside mechanisms for testing new vehicle technologies.
Al Etihad
25-03-2025
- Automotive
- Al Etihad
New UAE traffic law to take effect on March 29: All you need to know
25 Mar 2025 11:11 ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)Federal Decree-Law No. (14) of 2024 on the regulation of traffic will come into force on March 29, introducing significant amendments aimed at enhancing road safety, organising vehicle movement, and ensuring adherence to safe driving Engineer Hussein Ahmed Al Harthi, Chairman of the Federal Traffic Council at the Ministry of Interior, emphasized that the law is designed to improve traffic safety while keeping pace with technological advancements in the fields of transportation, vehicles, and road infrastructure. He noted that the executive regulations for the law will be issued within six months of its implementation, providing detailed provisions to ensure its effective enforcement, a statement issued on Monday said. ALSO READ: UAE Government issues new federal decree-law on traffic regulation Brigadier General Ahmed Saeed Mohammed Al Sam Al Naqbi, Head of the Traffic Awareness Team at the Federal Traffic Council, explained that the law introduces several key provisions that will be further elaborated in the executive include the classification of vehicles and personal transportation means according to specific criteria to ensure compliance with technical standards. The law also regulates driving licenses in terms of types, validity periods, eligibility age, and the procedures for obtaining them. It establishes conditions for issuing learning permits and defines the mechanisms for driver training based on standards approved by the licensing authority. Additionally, the law sets out mandatory insurance requirements for vehicles, whether registered within the country, arriving from abroad, or transiting through its territory, ensuring the minimum level of compulsory vehicle further outlines procedures for vehicle inspection, registration, and re-registration while ensuring compliance with technical and environmental safety Naqbi pointed out that Article (12) of the law specifies cases where driving licenses may be suspended or revoked, particularly in instances of deteriorating health conditions or other factors that could compromise traffic safety, ultimately reducing risks on the roads and ensuring drivers' ability to operate vehicles also highlighted Article (27), which grants licensing authorities the right to recall and inspect any vehicle at any time to verify its safety and compliance with a vehicle is deemed unfit for use, its owner will be required to carry out the necessary repairs, and the vehicle will not be permitted on the road until it successfully passes technical vehicle modifications, Al Naqbi explained that Article (26) strictly prohibits any major modifications to a vehicle such as altering the body, increasing engine power, or changing its color without obtaining prior approval from the licensing authority and completing the necessary procedures. This measure ensures compliance with approved technical further noted that the law stipulates several conditions under which vehicles may be impounded. These include operating an unfit vehicle that fails to meet technical standards, driving without a valid license for a second time, or allowing an unlicensed individual to drive. Other violations that may lead to impoundment include unauthorized modifications to the vehicle, involvement in an accident linked to a criminal offense requiring seizure, or any other cases specified in the forthcoming executive Article (10) of the decree, Al Naqbi stated that the law establishes four primary conditions for issuing a driving license. These include the requirement that an applicant must be at least 17 years old and must successfully pass a medical examination conducted by the licensing authority or submit an approved medical report, as outlined in the executive regulations. These forthcoming regulations will provide further clarity on all aspects of this article, including the types of licenses available for this age group and the procedures for their issuance.
