ABU DHABI 2 July 2017: The new federal traffic law has come into effect since yesterday July 1, 2017 – and Abu Dhabi Police has announced that it will wipe the slate clean for traffic violators – except in dangerous cases.
2017 is the Year of Giving in the UAE.
“Abu Dhabi Police will provide an opportunity for drivers to correct their driving before implementing the new amendments through an initiative to cancel registered traffic violations – with the exception of dangerous traffic violations,” said Brigadier Ali Khalfan Al Dhaheri, Director-General of Central Operations at Abu Dhabi Police.
Such ‘dangerous’ violations include:
- Reckless driving
- Exceeding speed limits
- Running red lights
- Driving vehicles in a way that endangers the lives of the public, and d
- Diving a vehicle under the influence of alcohol
The amended executive regulations of this year’s Federal Traffic Law No. 21 have been implemented from 1st July, as per Ministerial Resolutions 177 and 178 (2017) regarding traffic control rules and procedures.
In Dubai, the value of accumulated traffic violations and vehicle impoundment that were booked in Dubai from 2016 will be reduced by 50 per cent in celebration of the Year of Giving.
According to a resolution issued by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the reduction will take effect as of 1st of July until the end of the year and will not include violations booked from the beginning of 2017 and onward.
Motorists can pay their fines through Dubai Police Traffic Department, Police stations, vehicle registration centres, fine payment machines in shopping centres, through the internet and Roads and Transport Authority’s offices.
Major General Mohammed Ahmed bin Ghanem Al Kaabi, Commander-in-Chief of Fujairah Police, has ordered the release of all impounded vehicles from their remaining impounding period, to coincide with the start of Eid Al Fitr and as part of the Year of Giving initiatives of Fujairah Police.
However, Major General Al Kaabi exempted some impounded vehicles from the order, because their owners have committed dangerous violations such as racing on public roads, driving dangerously and escaping from the authorities, said Wam.
Major General Mohammed Ahmed bin Ghanem Al Kaabi, Commander-in-Chief of Fujairah Police
Major General Al Kaabi stated that this decision was made to coincide with the start of the Eid Al Fitr and the Year of Giving initiatives while highlighting the necessity of abiding by traffic laws, to maintain the safety of others.
He also stressed the importance to the drivers of the vehicles that were included in this decision, to consider this an opportunity to change their driving behaviour and avoid committing future violations.
Brigadier Ali Khalfan Al Dhaheri, Director-General of Central Operations at Abu Dhabi Police, called on drivers to follow traffic rules and laws while confirming that the amendments to the executive regulations are aimed at serving the interests of road users and improve traffic safety. He added that the implementation of these procedures should encourage drivers to follow the rules and promote their exerted efforts, under the framework of the strategic priority of Abu Dhabi Police to make local roads safer.
He highlighted that Abu Dhabi Police is prepared to implement the amended executive regulations by explaining the new amendments to the traffic fines schedule through several lectures and workshops for traffic and patrol department recruits, as well as improve the awareness of motorists through Abu Dhabi Police social media accounts, and by explaining the law’s articles and distributing awareness publications on the new traffic fines in the Marina Commercial Centre in Abu Dhabi, urging the public to respect traffic laws.
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By Angel Chan