Road safety has become an issue of serious concern in the UAE. The country has an excellent infrastructure when it comes to the road transport network. However, for traffic to be smooth, everyone needs to drive safely and sensibly so that there are no delays due to accidents that are caused due to bad judgment and human error.
A Gulf News report that was published in February last year said that the top causes of accidents in the UAE are sudden swerving/lane change, misjudgment, not maintaining a safe distance, entering roads even when they are not clear, speeding, lack of attention, jumping red lights, lack of lane discipline. All these points to the need for stricter enforcement of traffic rules in order to increase the safety and comfort of motorists in general.
Speeding is one of the major causes of fatal accidents in the country. Many motorists drive like they are on the racetrack and not on the road. It is not uncommon for people to text, eat, or talk on the phone as they drive. The UAE has a diverse population and many people who come from countries where it is not compulsory to wear seatbelts do not bother to wear them.
With as many as 112 deaths due to traffic accidents reported in the first half of 2016 in Dubai, the authorities here have decided to implement stricter fines and rules when it comes to driving vehicles, and these rules apply to heavy vehicles as well. The draft law was approved by the Ministry of Interior on March 22, 2017, and will shortly come into effect in all the seven emirates.
One notable feature of the draft law on traffic rules and fines is that it has now been made compulsory for all passengers to wear seatbelts. In the event that this rule is broken, the driver of the vehicle will get four black points and an AED 400 fine. Child safety has also been given the importance it deserves with motorists facing similar fines and black points if they lack safety seats for children below the age of four.
When it comes to window tinting, those who opt to get their tinting done can now get their vehicles tinted to 50 percent instead of the previously allowed 40 percent. Except for the front windshield, it is allowed for all windows to be tinted. This is definitely a welcome measure for those who use window tinting as a measure of protection against the summer heat.
When it comes to heavy vehicles, the rules have been made quite strict. If heavy vehicle drivers commit any traffic violations, they will have their licenses suspended for one year and get an AED 3,000 fine. Even after they complete their suspension term, they will have to take training sessions.
The regulations have been officially signed by Lieutenant General Shaikh Saif Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, and cover a wide range of violations. The penalties include heavy fines, black points, and impounding of vehicles.
Drivers who indulge in reckless driving will be fined AED 2,000, get 23 black points, and will have their vehicle impounded for 60 days. Those who endanger the lives of others will get similar punishments. Buggy drivers too come under the purview of the law and will receive a Dh3,000 fine and have their buggy impounded for three months. Those who are under the influence of alcohol or drugs will have their license suspended for one year, starting from the day of the verdict.
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