Distracted drivers in Dubai caught using mobile phones while behind the wheel face having their vehicles seized for up to 30 days under a new traffic crackdown.
Dubai Police have introduced strict new legislation expanding the number of offences for which motorists can have vehicles impounded in an effort to bolster road safety.
Road users putting other drivers at risk by swerving suddenly, tailgating or displaying poor lane discipline are also being targeted by the new laws, which were published in the government's Official Gazette on Tuesday.
It is understood the decree, which applies only to the roads of Dubai, can be enforced with immediate effect. Dubai Police have been contacted for further comment.
Motorists found using mobile phones while driving could previously be fined Dh800 ($217) and receive four traffic points on their licence.
Six people were killed in road accidents in the first eight months of last year by drivers using mobile phones behind the wheel, according to Dubai Police figures shared in October 2023. Police recorded 35,527 distracting driving offences in this period, with 50 people injured as a result.
Road safety drive
The latest legislation covers 14 road traffic offences, which can be punished with impoundment for 14 or 30 days. The new rules are:
- Sudden swerving in a way cause danger on individuals or properties – vehicle impounded for 30 days
- Not leaving safe distance between vehicles – 30 days
- Distracted while driving due to using a phone or other devices – 30 days
- Entering a road without making sure its empty – 14 days
- Reversing in a way causing danger for individuals and properties – 14 days
- Failure to adhere to mandatory lane discipline – 14 days
- Stopping in the middle of the road without reason – 14 days
- Dangerous overtaking – 14 days
- Vehicle being unsafe to drive – 14 days
- Heavy vehicle failing to adhere to mandatory lane discipline – 14 days
- Stopping the vehicle on hard shoulder in non-emergency situations, or overtaking other vehicles using hard shoulder – 14 days
- Driving a vehicle without a number plate – 14 days
- Driving a vehicle in a way that obstructs traffic – 14 days
- Changing colour of the vehicle without permission – 14 days
Targeting rule-breakers
The directives are the latest step by Dubai Police to clamp down on reckless driving and reduce the number of injuries and deaths on the emirate's roads.
Police introduced large impoundment penalties for a number of offences in June last year. They included impoundment release charges of up to Dh100,000 for taking part in unauthorised road races and a Dh50,000 penalty for jumping red lights.
Impoundment time and fees for release are doubled if the motorist is caught reoffending within one year. Existing traffic fines were to be paid on top of the new fees, which have been introduced solely to release cars that have been impounded for traffic offences.
Road accidents on the rise
The number of road accidents in the UAE rose by 11 per cent last year, compared to 2022.
Statistics from the Ministry of Interior, released in May this year, showed there were 4,391 traffic accidents in 2023, up from 3,945 in 2022.
These accidents resulted in 352 deaths, a slight increase from 343 in 2022.
Figures show accidents in Abu Dhabi caused 133 deaths and 1,850 injuries, compared to 121 deaths and 2,607 injuries in Dubai.
In Sharjah, 34 people died in traffic accidents last year and 387 were injured.
Ras Al Khaimah roads recorded 30 road deaths and 326 injuries.
There were 16 road deaths in Umm Al Quwain and 63 injuries, 11 crash deaths in Ajman and 133 injuries, while Fujairah recorded seven road deaths and 202 injuries.
The candidates
Dr Ayham Ammora, scientist and business executive
Ali Azeem, business leader
Tony Booth, professor of education
Lord Browne, former BP chief executive
Dr Mohamed El-Erian, economist
Professor Wyn Evans, astrophysicist
Dr Mark Mann, scientist
Gina MIller, anti-Brexit campaigner
Lord Smith, former Cabinet minister
Sandi Toksvig, broadcaster
The specs
Engine: Direct injection 4-cylinder 1.4-litre
Power: 150hp
Torque: 250Nm
Price: From Dh139,000
On sale: Now
Key figures in the life of the fort
Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.
Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.
Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.
Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae
The biog
Mission to Seafarers is one of the largest port-based welfare operators in the world.
It provided services to around 200 ports across 50 countries.
They also provide port chaplains to help them deliver professional welfare services.
EXPATS
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Lulu%20Wang%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Nicole%20Kidman%2C%20Sarayu%20Blue%2C%20Ji-young%20Yoo%2C%20Brian%20Tee%2C%20Jack%20Huston%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
PROFILE OF CURE.FIT
Started: July 2016
Founders: Mukesh Bansal and Ankit Nagori
Based: Bangalore, India
Sector: Health & wellness
Size: 500 employees
Investment: $250 million
Investors: Accel, Oaktree Capital (US); Chiratae Ventures, Epiq Capital, Innoven Capital, Kalaari Capital, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Piramal Group’s Anand Piramal, Pratithi Investment Trust, Ratan Tata (India); and Unilever Ventures (Unilever’s global venture capital arm)
Farasan Boat: 128km Away from Anchorage
Director: Mowaffaq Alobaid
Stars: Abdulaziz Almadhi, Mohammed Al Akkasi, Ali Al Suhaibani
Rating: 4/5
Players Selected for La Liga Trials
U18 Age Group
Name: Ahmed Salam (Malaga)
Position: Right Wing
Nationality: Jordanian
Name: Yahia Iraqi (Malaga)
Position: Left Wing
Nationality: Morocco
Name: Mohammed Bouherrafa (Almeria)
Position: Centre-Midfield
Nationality: French
Name: Mohammed Rajeh (Cadiz)
Position: Striker
Nationality: Jordanian
U16 Age Group
Name: Mehdi Elkhamlichi (Malaga)
Position: Lead Striker
Nationality: Morocco
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
The BIO:
He became the first Emirati to climb Mount Everest in 2011, from the south section in Nepal
He ascended Mount Everest the next year from the more treacherous north Tibetan side
By 2015, he had completed the Explorers Grand Slam
Last year, he conquered K2, the world’s second-highest mountain located on the Pakistan-Chinese border
He carries dried camel meat, dried dates and a wheat mixture for the final summit push
His new goal is to climb 14 peaks that are more than 8,000 metres above sea level
Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
Zayed Sustainability Prize
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBERS
Estijaba – 8001717 – number to call to request coronavirus testing
Ministry of Health and Prevention – 80011111
Dubai Health Authority – 800342 – The number to book a free video or voice consultation with a doctor or connect to a local health centre
Emirates airline – 600555555
Etihad Airways – 600555666
Ambulance – 998
Knowledge and Human Development Authority – 8005432 ext. 4 for Covid-19 queries
MATCH INFO
Norwich 0
Watford 2 (Deulofeu 2', Gray 52')
Red card: Christian Kabasele (WatforD)
Tottenham's 10 biggest transfers (according to transfermarkt.com):
1). Moussa Sissokho - Newcastle United - £30 million (Dh143m): Flop
2). Roberto Soldado - Valencia - £25m: Flop
3). Erik Lamela - Roma - £25m: Jury still out
4). Son Heung-min - Bayer Leverkusen - £25m: Success
5). Darren Bent - Charlton Athletic - £21m: Flop
6). Vincent Janssen - AZ Alkmaar - £18m: Flop
7). David Bentley - Blackburn Rovers - £18m: Flop
8). Luka Modric - Dynamo Zagreb - £17m: Success
9). Paulinho - Corinthians - £16m: Flop
10). Mousa Dembele - Fulham - £16m: Success
