Take a peek at the lane you’re in if you’re at a road intersection in Abu Dhabi and you’ve just realized you need to turn left instead of straight. If you’re not in a left-hand lane, it’s advisable to stay in it and take a detour to get to your destination.
On April 10, Abu Dhabi police released a traffic safety video in which they recommended motorists to follow lane discipline and cautioned that if they make a left turn while in the center lane of a junction, they will be fined Dh400.
If you live in Abu Dhabi or are visiting the Emirate, it is critical that you remember all of the rules that apply to you as a driver. Here’s a quick rundown of some of the most common traffic offenses, as well as the fines and points associated with them.
Abu Dhabi fines for traffic violations
The UAE Traffic Law, Ministerial Resolution No. (178) for the year 2017 on Rules and Procedures of Traffic Control, as well as Law No. 5 for 2020 on Vehicle Impoundment in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, cover the following traffic offences.
1. Up to Dh50,000 for releasing a car that has been impounded
When a driver runs a red light, is unsafe or reckless on the road, engages in unlicensed road racing, or intentionally collides with a police car, the vehicle might be impounded.
In addition to the fines imposed by the traffic legislation, Abu Dhabi police have issued Law No. 5 for 2020, which deals with car impoundment in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. According to the new regulation, reckless drivers who commit significant traffic violations in Abu Dhabi would have to pay fines of up to Dh50,000 to have their automobiles released.
An automobile can be confiscated, according to Abu Dhabi Police, if the driver:
- runs a red light,
- is a risky or careless driver on the road;
- drives a vehicle with a license plate that is veiled, hidden, or deformed;
- engages in illegal road racing; and
- collides with a police car on purpose.
2. Failing to follow lane discipline – Dh400 fine
Motorists who fail to follow traffic lanes on roadways and intersection crossings face a fine of Dh400. Motorists who fail to go straight at a junction while in a lane that is not designated for left turns are subject to the penalties.
3. Overtaking from the right
When a driver overtakes another vehicle from the right, this is considered a lane violation. If you want to pass a car in front of you, you should use the left lane, which is also known as the overtaking lane. You will be fined Dh600 and given six traffic black points if you overtake from the right.
4. Speeding through a red light
For jumping the red light, violators will be fined Dh1,000 and handed 12 traffic black points. The vehicle will also be impounded for 30 days. The violator must pay Dh5,000 to have the car released from impoundment. The vehicle will be auctioned off if it is not released within three months of being impounded.
Abu Dhabi fined a total of 2,850 motorists for running a red light in February 2021.
5. While driving, a police car was damaged
If a motorist damages or collides with a police car, they will not only be responsible for the damages but their vehicle will also be seized. To get the vehicle back, the violation will have to pay Dh5,000.
6. Allowing children under the age of ten to ride in the front seat of a car
Drivers who have a child under the age of ten in the front seat will be fined Dh400, as well as having their vehicle confiscated and having to pay Dh5,000 to have it released within three months.
7. Abu Dhabi speeding fines
Here’s a quick rundown of the penalties you’ll face if you exceed a road’s speed limit:
- If you cause an accident due to speeding, sudden swerving, failing to maintain proper distance, or neglecting to prioritize crossing pedestrians, your car will be seized and you will be fined Dh5,000.
- Exceeding the maximum speed limit by more than 80 km/h: Dh3,000 fine, with black points
- Exceeding the maximum speed limit by more than 60 kilometers per hour Fine: 2,000 black points
- Exceeding the maximum speed limit by no more than 60 km/h Fine: Dh1,500.
- Exceeding the speed limit by no more than 50 kilometers per hour: Dh1,000 in fines
- Dh1,000 fine Fine: Dh700 for exceeding the maximum speed limit by no more than 40 km/h.
- Exceeding the maximum speed limit by 30 km/h or greater Fine: Dh600
- Exceeding the maximum speed limit by no more than 20 km/h: Dh300 fine
It’s worth noting that since 2018, Abu Dhabi hasn’t had a ‘grace speed restriction.’ A grace speed limit permits motorists to go 10 or 20 kilometers per hour faster than the posted speed limit. In Abu Dhabi, however, if you go beyond the specified speed limit in any way, you will be fined according to this list.
8. Tailgating
Tailgating is punishable by a Dh400 fine and four black points, as well as the impoundment of your vehicle. The cost of releasing a car that has been impounded is Dh5,000.
The Abu Dhabi Police Department has previously warned motorists that harassing vehicles in front of them by approaching them too closely and forcing them to leave the lane by flashing headlights causes the driver in front of them to become distracted, increasing the risk of serious traffic accidents.
9. Not giving way to pedestrians
On April 12, 2022, the Abu Dhabi Police Department issued a warning to vehicles that failing to give pedestrians priority at marked pedestrian crossings will result in a Dh500 fine and six penalty points.
10. Penalties for loud vehicles and unauthorized engine modifications
Many road users find noisy vehicles irritating, and motorists who are discovered making unlawful modifications to a car engine to make a loud noise face a fine of Dh2,000 and 12 points.
Making changes to the vehicle’s engine or chassis without a license will result in it being detained, and the owner will have to pay Dh10,000 within three months to have it released.
11. Driving without a valid driver’s license
This is a fine that can result in not just a Dh5,000 fine but also a three-month prison sentence. According to Article 51 of the Federal Traffic Law, “Shall be sentenced to detention for a term not exceeding three months and/or to a minimum fine of Dh5,000, whoever drives a vehicle on the road without a driver’s license or with a license not allowing him to drive that type of vehicle.”
12. Littering on the road while driving
Are you getting rid of a can of soda or a bag of chips from your car? Consider again, because you could face a Dh1,000 fine as well as six black points. You may also be subject to additional municipal fines if you litter in public spaces.
13. Driving a vehicle with an expired registration
A punishment of Dh500 and four black points, as well as the vehicle being confiscated, are imposed for driving a car with expired vehicle registration.
14. Failure to use a seatbelt
A Dh400 fine and four black points will be imposed if you fail to strap up while driving. This includes people who are not wearing their seat belts.
15. Fine for using a mobile phone while driving
You might be fined Dh800 and given four black points if you are going through your messages or emails while driving. Other instances of distracted driving are subject to the same punishment.
16. Sudden deviation of the vehicle
Swerving suddenly when driving is punishable by a Dh1,000 fine and four black penalty points. Furthermore, the vehicle will be confiscated, and the motorist would be required to pay Dh5,000 to get it released. The vehicle will be auctioned off if all fines are not paid within three months.
17. Fine for blocking a number plate
You may be blocking your number plate if you have tied a bike to your car or have affixed additional objects to your automobile. A punishment of Dh400 might be imposed if the car number plate is blocked. In the first six months of 2021, at least 5,1777 motorists were fined for obscuring their license plate from view, according to Abu Dhabi police.
Driving a car without a number plate, on the other hand, can result in harsh penalties such as a Dh3,000 fine, 23 black points, and the vehicle being imprisoned for 90 days.
18. Failure to stop for school buses
Motorists who fail to stop when school buses raise the ‘Stop’ sign for school children exiting and entering buses will be fined Dh1,000 and given 10 traffic black points to guarantee the safety of children on UAE roadways.