The UAE’s amended federal traffic law came into effect on Saturday, July 1, bringing into force new regulations and fines for a wide range of traffic violations.
Among the changes that are expected to improve road safety include higher fines for higher speeds, confiscation of vehicles for several offences for longer durations, apart from having more black points.
A key introduction to the traffic law is the mandatory child seat for children below the age of four and compulsory buckling up of all passengers. Earlier, only the driver and the front passenger were expected to buckle up.
Drivers will be held responsible for providing the child seat and buckling up of passengers, failure to fasten the seat belt will cost the driver Dh400 and four black points.
The amendments also have a greater focus on road behaviour with penalties for using phones or other distraction increased to Dh800 and four black points.
Confiscation of vehicles is also central to the new law with reckless driving leading to confiscation of the vehicle for 60 days apart from a fine of Dh2,000 and 23 black points.
Jumping the red light will also lead to confiscation of the vehicle for 30 days along with a fine of Dh1,000 and 12 black points.
Driving a vehicle with expired registration and insurance will cost the driver Dh500, four black points and confiscation of the vehicle for seven days.
Speeding fines can go up to Dh3,000 along with 23 black points and confiscation of the vehicle for 60 days, in case the vehicle was exceeding the speed limit by more than 80kph.
Apart from these, several other penalties have been introduced, with the police patrols across the country ready to implement the regulations strictly.
On Saturday, the Traffic and Patrols Directorate of Abu Dhabi Police announced that they have begun implementing the amended federal traffic law.
