Just a month into the new traffic rules, and there has been a significant decrease in traffic violation across Dubai. Read on to know more…
Time to rejoice Dubai for we have once again proved that we are good citizens and we care for our Dubai! Post the amended traffic law was executed on 01 July, traffic violations have significantly decreased in Dubai.
Dubai Police recorded more than one-third decline in traffic fines in the first week of July compared to the week leading to the 1st of July. The number of traffic fines issued against motorists dropped from 94,964 to 59,777, which is an encouraging sign for traffic authorities that are continuously trying to improve the road safety situation in Dubai.
Reason behind the Significant Decrease in Traffic Violations
Traffic violations have been a major road safety concern in Dubai. In the newly amended traffic law, new traffic violations have been introduced for the first time like wearing the seatbelt and installing child safety seats inside cars and fines for some major traffic violations like over-speeding, reckless driving, poor lane changing and tailgating have been increased in order to discourage motorists to violate the laws.
Subject to these changes and awareness amongst the motorists about increased monitoring of the traffic violations has made them more cautious thereby reducing the traffic violations in Dubai.
Major General Mohammad Saif Al Zafein, Assistant Chief for Operations Affairs at Dubai Police said that, “the traffic authorities had suggested much-needed changes to be made to the traffic rules, which Ministry of Interior accepted and now the gradually improving road safety situation in Dubai justifies the modifications made to the traffic law.”
According to him, the new traffic law focuses on the safety of motorists and discourages the reckless driving behaviour. He told that the ultimate aim of the Dubai traffic authorities is to quickly achieve the target of reducing the road deaths to 3 deaths per 100,000 people from the current 6 deaths per 100,000 people.
Major Traffic Violations Recorded in the First Week of July
According to the traffic authorities, over-speeding remained the major concern in the first week of July as motorists violated the speed limits of different roads in Dubai. In the new law, the penalties for speeding 80km above the speed limit of a road include AED 3,000 fine, 23 black points against the driver’s license and impounding of the vehicle for 60 days. This is the maximum penalty for over-speeding, however, the penalties differ on the basis of the extent of over-speeding committed by the driver.
Some other common traffic violations recorded in the first week of July included:
- Poor road discipline
- Inappropriate parking
- Blocking traffic
- Tailgating
- Sudden swerving
Road Safety Situation in Other States of the UAE
While traffic violations decreased in Dubai in the first week of July, over 10,000 traffic violations were recorded in Sharjah. The most common of these violations was jaywalking that refers to pedestrians entering the road from undesignated areas.
Overall, the road safety situation is becoming better across the UAE and authorities are trying to spread more awareness about the new traffic rules and road safety practices so that the roads in the UAE become safer for commuting than ever before.
So let’s drive safely and follow rules as promptly as possible!