In order to make UAE roads safer, the government has approved new UAE traffic law, which will come into effect from July 1st 2017. The law has become harsher and imposes tougher punishments for the violators. Major-General Mohammad Saif Al Zafein, Assistant Chief for Operational Affairs at Dubai Police and Director of the Federal Traffic Council said that the main purpose for the new UAE traffic law is to reduce the number of casualties on the road, not to make more money out of it.
“Some motorists believe that we increase the traffic fines to collect more money but that’s not the truth. Under the new law, fines for some offences have been reduced, which is a strong evidence that our aim is to reduce the number of accidents and deaths on the roads,” he added.
If you see the list of traffic fines below, you can find more fines and tougher stance on black points and vehicle confiscation. The maximum fine is imposed on motorists driving under the influence of alcohol because they are at high risk to create havoc on the road. They will be fined Dh20,000 and/or jail term to be decided by court, 23 points and confiscation for 60 days.
Major Abdul Rahman Khatr, director of the traffic awareness branch at Sharjah Police also seconded the statement of Major-General Saif in the following words, “Our aim is your safety; [it’s not] to fine you,” Maj Khatr said. And this, he said, will not be achieved unless there is a strong deterrent to poor driving practices.
“People need a strong deterrent to prevent them from violating [traffic rules]. When there is a large sum of money [as fines], they will think many times before breaking the rule because no one wants to spend his earnings on traffic fines. I am sure that as soon as the new traffic law is implemented, we will see a reduction in road fatalities.”
To give relief to motorists in celebrating The Year of Giving, previously His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai offered 50% discount on traffic fines committed in 2016 and before.