The changes to the emirates' traffic laws that were effective on Thursday
Expat Mark (name changed per request) from Dubai paid Dh1,000 last month as punishment for running a red light. He received 12 points for moving violations, his automobile was seized for 30 days, and he had to pay Dh3,000 to get it back.
Now, he will receive 12 more black points and the same punishment if he ever commits the same infraction. However, due to changes made to Dubai's traffic laws, he will now be required to spend 17 times more than he did to get his car back.
The new traffic laws in the emirates, which became effective on Thursday (July 6), established a penalty of Dh50,000 for drivers to release their impounded vehicles. This is nearly the same price Mark paid for the brand-new vehicle produced in Korea that he purchased at the beginning of the year.
"The increased penalty is truly a major deterrent," Mark said to Khaleej Times. He said, "I've already learnt my lesson, and I don't think I will ever make the same stupid error of beating the red light. It isn't worthwhile.
protecting people and property
Road safety experts concur that adding stiffer penalties to the traffic laws of Dubai will send a clear message to negligent drivers.
The proposed changes to the traffic code, according to Thomas Edelmann, founder and managing director of RoadSafetyUAE, "address various forms of reckless driving behaviour."
"While some of these are deliberate, others are related to being preoccupied, particularly when it comes to the risky practise of red light running. The bulk of red light jumping incidents are related to drivers' inattentive driving habits. But due to distraction, running a red light cannot easily be dismissed.
Nevertheless, the changes to the traffic code go farther in addressing reckless driving and ensuring road safety while protecting people's lives and property in the emirate," he continued.
promoting environmental safety
Lara Branaghan, a longtime resident of Dubai, applauded the authorities' choice. "Cars today are faster, the roads are wider, and some drivers are more daring," she remarked. These negligent drivers would undoubtedly think twice before slamming on the brakes or applying full-throttle to get through a red light if there were harsher and more expensive fines.
She emphasised, "I believe the goal of introducing the revisions is to improve traffic safety, reduce accidents, and foster a culture of safety on the roads.
Additionally, Branaghan said, "I don't believe anyone can just leave their car at the impounding area, even if its value is just Dh15,000 or a third of the penalty because they still have to remove the black points from their driving record."
The modified traffic legislation states that in addition to paying all fines owed on the car in accordance with the traffic file, correcting the infraction (including removing black points) or its causes, and meeting any other criteria set by Dubai Police.
Deportation as well as further measures
Additionally, repeat offenders will be charged more. According to the new law, "provided that the impoundment duration does not exceed 90 days, the impoundment period of a vehicle shall be doubled in the event that the vehicle is impounded again within one year of the occurrence of the same offence for which the vehicle was previously impounded.
"If the vehicle is impounded again within one year of the same offence, the amount to be paid for the release of the impounded vehicle will be doubled, provided that the release amount does not exceed Dh200,000."
In addition, "in addition to the penalties and measures prescribed by the legislation in force in Dubai, where a non-UAE national driver of a heavy vehicle drives through a red light, he will be administratively deported from the UAE."
The core of the new traffic rule is still to drive carefully and avoid the fines. Avoid accidents, preserve lives, maintain safety, and always follow the law.
