The UAE has recently enacted a set of traffic laws to minimize accidents and cause minimal injury to all those using the Road transport system. The newly enacted Federal Decree-Law No. 14/2024 on Traffic Regulation (“LAW”) replaces the older Federal Law No. 21/1995 on Traffic.


OBLIGATIONS OF DRIVERS


The new Law is applicable to all road users including drivers of vehicles and pedestrians. As per Article 5 of the Law, vehicle drivers have the following obligations:


  1. To furnish all documents requested by the traffic authority, whenever required and to comply with all regulations specified by the licensing authority.
  2. In case of an accident, to administer first aid to an injured person, if one has the required medical knowledge. If the driver is involved in the accident, they are required to report the accident to the authorities, within 3 hours.
  3. To reduce speed at the entrance and exit of educational and health facilities, near animals and personal mobility devices, in instances of limited visibility, and in crowded areas.
  4. To reduce speed at pedestrian crossings and to stop the vehicle when pedestrians are crossing at such points.
  5. To avoid parking in prohibited areas or in ways that obstruct traffic. In case of emergencies, parking must be done after ensuring all necessary precautions.
  6. To avoid using vehicles that generate excessive noise or which does not adhere to regulations.
  7. To avoid using the horn except in cases of emergencies.


RIGHT OF WAY


Article 6 provides that even when there is reduced traffic, certain vehicles will have the right of way, on the roads. These include official vehicles, civil defence vehicles, vehicles involved in medical emergencies, military and police vehicles, and vehicles providing services as designated by ministers of the state.

USAGE OF ROADS AND PENALTIES FOR JAYWALKING


Article 7 and Article 39 of the Law explains regulations related to the usage of roads. Pedestrians and users of personal mobility devices are prohibited from standing on roads or crossing the roadway except at designated crossing points. If found to overstep this law, an individual may be subject to imprisonment and/or fined between AED 5,000 and AED 10,000. Pedestrians are also prohibited from crossing the roads where the speed limit is above 80km/hr. Penalties in this case include imprisonment and/or fine of more that AED 10,000. Damaging roads or blocking the roadway is also strictly forbidden. The Law also provides provisions towards driving license criteria and penalties around irregularities in license use.


IMPOUNDING OF VEHICLES AND OTHER PENALTIES


Article 32 of the Law allows the impounding of the vehicle in the following cases:


  1. If the vehicle is not in a good condition as per the rules and regulations in force.
  2. If a driver is found to drive a vehicle without a driver’s license, on more than one occasion.
  3. If the vehicle has undergone significant modifications against the rules and regulations of the licensing authority or without the prior approval of the authority.
  4. If the vehicle is related to an incident of crime.
  5. Other circumstances as per the Law.


In addition to impounding, there are further penalties that may be implemented on offenders, as per the Law.

According to Article 34, misuse of license plate in the form of forgery, alteration and transfer of number plate to another vehicle in a nefarious manner can make an individual liable to imprisonment or a fine of up to AED 20,000.


If a person is found to drive under the influence of alcohol, they may be liable to be imprisoned and fined between AED 20,000 and AED 100,000. If the crime was a first offence or a second offence, the individual’s license will be suspended for a period of three months and six months respectively. In case of a third offence, the individual’s license will be revoked by the authority.


Similarly, in case a driver is found to drive under the influence of drugs, the fine will be higher, between AED 30,000 and AED 200,000 in addition to a threat of imprisonment. The authority will suspend the license for 6 months in case of the first offence, 1 year in case of the second offence and will revoke the license if the individual repeats the crime a third time.   


According to Article 38, if an individual is seen to have fled a scene of accident or any crime without providing the necessary information to the authorities, he/she will be subject to imprisonment of upto one year and fine between AED50,000 and AED 100,000. The same penalties apply to people who flee from the police when asked to stop, causing a pursuit on the road, or intentionally colliding with law personnel. Subsequently, as per Article 41 of the Law, failure to disclose personal information when requested at a scene of accident or while caught commiting other offences as per this Law, can be penalized with imprisonment or fine between AED 10,000 and AED 20,000.


ACCIDENTS LEADING TO DEATH


If a road accident causes the death of a person, the negligent driver of the vehicle is liable to imprisonment or fine of more than AED 50,000. However, the penalty is enormously increased if at the time of accident, the driver was intoxicated, driving without a valid license, driving through a flood, or running a red light.


Federal Decree-Law No. 14/2024 on Traffic Regulation has been enacted not only to reduce mishaps and injuries, but also to deter individuals from committing traffic offences. Although traffic related transgressions may seem minor, it can lead to grievous injuries and loss of innocent lives. The UAE government thus intends to minimize the number of accidents on the roads.