A new decree law covering UAE traffic rules was announced on Friday.
Among the changes being considered are a lower driving age and tough punishments for drink driving.
The government said a new federal decree law on traffic regulation had been issued to keep up with the 'rapid evolution of transportation around the world'. The law will be discussed and details decided within six months, with the final decisions made public on March 29.
Self-driving cars
The new law will focus on expanding the use of autonomous and electric vehicles, including details around inspecting and licencing self-driving cars.
The release also specified that a Federal Traffic Council would be established, and that the responsibilities would be determined by a cabinet resolution.
To be included in the new law are issues such as pedestrians crossing high-speed roads, as well as stopping and/or standing on the road.
Currently, the law states that motorbike licences are available to people from the age of 17, for cars and light vehicles it is 18, and 20 for tractors and heavy vehicles. The law issued on Friday will address possible changes to these minimum limits, but it is not clear for which vehicles.
Other areas also mentioned in the decree law surround the topic of driving instructors, including where they can teach students, as well as vehicle modifications, such as to the chassis, body or engine.
Fines and penalties
The decree law states that a cabinet resolution will also determine the fines, penalties and administrative punishments to be issued in the case of breaching the new rules.
For misusing licence plates, a punishment of either imprisonment and/or a fine of at least Dh20,000 would be given. For driving, or trying to drive, under the influence of alcohol a punishment of imprisonment and/or a fine of at least Dh20,000 and at most Dh100,000 would be handed out, whereas for those under the influence of narcotics or psychotropic substances the punishment would be imprisonment and/or a fine of between Dh30,000 and Dh200,000.
Driving with a suspended licence will be punishable by either imprisonment for no more than three months, and/or a fine of at least Dh10,000.
Fleeing the scene of an accident and not providing the authorities with relevant information will be punishable by either imprisonment for no more than one year, and/or a fine of between Dh50,000 and Dh100,000.
Negligently causing the death of another person with a vehicle will be punishable by either imprisonment and/or a fine of at least Dh50,000. If the incident happens during specific circumstances such as driving through a flooded valley, the minimum prison term will be one year, and the minimum fine Dh100,000.
Currently, fines for more serious offences are decided by the court in each individual case.
Jaywalkers who cause an accident will also receive a punishment of either imprisonment and a fine of between Dh5,000 and Dh10,000.
COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
RESULTS
6pm: Mazrat Al Ruwayah – Group 2 (PA) $40,000 (Dirt) 1,600m
Winner: AF Alajaj, Tadhg O’Shea (jockey), Ernst Oertel (trainer)
6.35pm: Race of Future – Handicap (TB) $80,000 (Turf) 2,410m
Winner: Global Storm, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
7.10pm: UAE 2000 Guineas – Group 3 (TB) $150,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Azure Coast, Antonio Fresu, Pavel Vashchenko
7.45pm: Business Bay Challenge – Listed (TB) $100,000 (T) 1,400m
Winner: Storm Damage, Patrick Cosgrave, Saeed bin Suroor
20.20pm: Curlin Stakes – Listed (TB) $100,000 (D) 2,000m
Winner: Appreciated, Fernando Jara, Doug O’Neill
8.55pm: Singspiel Stakes – Group 2 (TB) $180,000 (T) 1,800m
Winner: Lord Glitters, Daniel Tudhope, David O'Meara
9.30pm: Al Shindagha Sprint – Group 3 (TB) $150,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Meraas, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi
Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere
Director: Scott Cooper
Starring: Jeremy Allen White, Odessa Young, Jeremy Strong
Rating: 4/5
SPECS
Engine: Two-litre four-cylinder turbo
Power: 235hp
Torque: 350Nm
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Price: From Dh167,500 ($45,000)
On sale: Now
The Vines - In Miracle Land
Two stars
The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
RIVER%20SPIRIT
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EAuthor%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ELeila%20Aboulela%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPublisher%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Saqi%20Books%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPages%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20320%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EAvailable%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Now%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The specs
Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
Power: 620hp from 5,750-7,500rpm
Torque: 760Nm from 3,000-5,750rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed dual-clutch auto
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh1.05 million ($286,000)
The specs
Engine: 5.2-litre V10
Power: 640hp at 8,000rpm
Torque: 565Nm at 6,500rpm
Transmission: 7-speed dual-clutch auto
Price: From Dh1 million
On sale: Q3 or Q4 2022
Apple%20Mac%20through%20the%20years
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Results:
5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,400m | Winner: Eghel De Pine, Pat Cosgrave (jockey), Eric Lemartinel (trainer)
5.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,400m | Winner: AF Sheaar, Szczepan Mazur, Saeed Al Shamsi
6pm: Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan National Day Cup (PA) Group 3 Dh500,000 1,600m | Winner: RB Torch, Fabrice Veron, Eric Lemartinel
6.30pm: Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan National Day Cup (TB) Listed Dh380,000 1,600m | Winner: Forjatt, Chris Hayes, Nicholas Bachalard
7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup for Private Owners Handicap (PA) Dh 70,000 1,400m | Winner: Hawafez, Connor Beasley, Ridha ben Attia
7.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh 80,000 1,600m | Winner: Qader, Richard Mullen, Jean de Roaulle
THE BIO
Favourite car: Koenigsegg Agera RS or Renault Trezor concept car.
Favourite book: I Am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes or Red Notice by Bill Browder.
Biggest inspiration: My husband Nik. He really got me through a lot with his positivity.
Favourite holiday destination: Being at home in Australia, as I travel all over the world for work. It’s great to just hang out with my husband and family.
WOMAN AND CHILD
Director: Saeed Roustaee
Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi
Rating: 4/5
Story%20behind%20the%20UAE%20flag
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