DUBAI (Kashmir English): Reckless drivers in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) now face on-the-spot arrests and hefty fines of up to Dh100,000 under newly-revised traffic laws.
The decision has been taken to enhance public safety and improve road safety across all emirates, according to the Ministry of Interior.
The amended regulations came into effect in late March. The new laws assign broader authority to traffic enforcement officers, enabling them to detain road-users caught committing serious traffic violations.
The new laws also keep a check on dangerous driving behaviours with stricter penalties, reinforcing the government’s commitment to reducing road accidents and fatalities.
According to reports, in 2024 alone, UAE traffic department recorded 4,291 violations for driving in a manner that posed a threat to public safety.
Dubai accounted for the highest number of such violations with 2,765 occurrences, followed by incidents in Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and other emirates.
Alarmingly, 96 of these violations involved heavy traffic vehicles, prompting enhanced concern over public and driver safety.
To combat the traffic violations, Abu Dhabi Police, in collaboration with the Monitoring and Control Center, has launched the “Your Comment” awareness campaign, which shares real footage of reckless driving to educate the public.
The authorities have defined at least six offences that can lead to immediate arrest of the motorists.
UAE new traffic laws
Under the new law, police officers are now authorized to detain drivers on the spot if they are found involved in causing death or injury while driving.
Similarly, causing major property damage due to reckless driving, driving in a manner that endangers public safety, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, refusing to provide identification or supplying false information, and fleeing the scene of an accident or initiating a police chase could lead to arrests.
Motorists caught guilty of causing death due to negligent or dangerous driving can now face imprisonment and/or fines starting from Dh50,000.
In aggravated cases—such as running a red light, being under the influence, driving with a suspended licence, or attempting to cross a flooded wadi—the punishment is even more severe: a minimum of one year in jail and a fine of at least Dh100,000.
Those involved in reckless driving incidents that cause injury or damage may also face a Dh2,000 fine, 23 black points, and vehicle impoundment for 60 days.
If the vehicle release fee of Dh50,000 is not paid within three months, authorities may auction off the vehicle.
