Drivers caught breaking the speed limits on Dubai's roads by more than 60kph last year paid a total of Dh53.9 million ($14.6 million) in traffic fines.
Dubai Police reported 24,837 such speeding offences in 2022, of which 4,322 were motorists who exceeded speed limits by 80kph.
Each of the worst offenders had to pay a fine of Dh3,000, had 23 points added to their licences and had their vehicles confiscated for 60 days.
Exceeding maximum speed limits is one of the most serious violations because it can cause or contribute to major accidents, said Maj Gen Saif Al Mazroui, director of the General Department of Traffic at Dubai Police.
There is no excuse for a driver who over speeds by more than 60 or 80 kilometres
Major General Saif Al Mazroui,
director of the General Department of Traffic at Dubai Police
A total of 20,515 drivers exceeded the speed limit by 60kph. Each was fined Dh2,000, received 12 traffic points and faced a 30-day vehicle confiscation.
"Committing traffic violations happens, but there is a big difference between a violation committed by mistake due to inattention or lack of focus, and a violation that reflects reckless behaviour committed deliberately," Maj Gen Al Mazroui said.
Speed limits are determined following careful studies that take into account several factors, including traffic density and the nature of the road.
“Everyone must be aware that adherence to speed limits is crucial to ensuring safety and the additional margin to speed limit cuts off all excuses of lack of focus,” he said.
“Lack of focus makes a driver exceed the speed limit by one or two kilometres but there is no excuse for a driver who over speeds by more than 60 or 80 kilometres.”
The risk of high-speed driving intensifies when combined with other factors, such as using a mobile phone while behind the wheel.
“In such situations, the driver lacks adequate time to react and address any unforeseen emergencies that may arise in their path," Maj Gen Al Mazroui said.
“Moreover, if a car crash is imminent due to excessive speed and insufficient spacing between vehicles, the driver may be compelled to make a sudden evasive manoeuvre.”
He said this sudden action could lead to an even more significant accident and endanger the lives of the driver, and others.
"This violation is also a major cause of many traffic accidents and reflect the undisciplined behaviour of those who do it," he said.
The department dealt with 2,319 such offences last year. Motorists were punished with a Dh2,000 fine, 23 traffic points and 60 days of car confiscation and impoundment.
Law-breaking behaviour included recklessly weaving between cars at high speeds, abruptly stopping in front of other vehicles, street racing, road rage and aggression.
“We do not tolerate these behaviours, because they pose risk to those who do them and to other road users," Maj Gen Al Mazroui said.
He said that while most drivers abided by the law, the department was focused on raising public awareness about the dangers of reckless driving.
"There is a still a minority of drivers who require deterrence to improve overall road safety for everyone," he said.
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
PROFILE OF SWVL
Started: April 2017
Founders: Mostafa Kandil, Ahmed Sabbah and Mahmoud Nouh
Based: Cairo, Egypt
Sector: transport
Size: 450 employees
Investment: approximately $80 million
Investors include: Dubai’s Beco Capital, US’s Endeavor Catalyst, China’s MSA, Egypt’s Sawari Ventures, Sweden’s Vostok New Ventures, Property Finder CEO Michael Lahyani
The specs
Engine: 0.8-litre four cylinder
Power: 70bhp
Torque: 66Nm
Transmission: four-speed manual
Price: $1,075 new in 1967, now valued at $40,000
On sale: Models from 1966 to 1970
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
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%3Cp%3EAuthor%3A%20Diaa%20Jubaili%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EPages%3A%20180%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EPublisher%3A%20Deep%20Vellum%20Publishing%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Conflict, drought, famine
Estimates of the number of deaths caused by the famine range from 400,000 to 1 million, according to a document prepared for the UK House of Lords in 2024.
It has been claimed that the policies of the Ethiopian government, which took control after deposing Emperor Haile Selassie in a military-led revolution in 1974, contributed to the scale of the famine.
Dr Miriam Bradley, senior lecturer in humanitarian studies at the University of Manchester, has argued that, by the early 1980s, “several government policies combined to cause, rather than prevent, a famine which lasted from 1983 to 1985. Mengistu’s government imposed Stalinist-model agricultural policies involving forced collectivisation and villagisation [relocation of communities into planned villages].
The West became aware of the catastrophe through a series of BBC News reports by journalist Michael Buerk in October 1984 describing a “biblical famine” and containing graphic images of thousands of people, including children, facing starvation.
Band Aid
Bob Geldof, singer with the Irish rock group The Boomtown Rats, formed Band Aid in response to the horrific images shown in the news broadcasts.
With Midge Ure of the band Ultravox, he wrote the hit charity single Do They Know it’s Christmas in December 1984, featuring a string of high-profile musicians.
Following the single’s success, the idea to stage a rock concert evolved.
Live Aid was a series of simultaneous concerts that took place at Wembley Stadium in London, John F Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia, the US, and at various other venues across the world.
The combined event was broadcast to an estimated worldwide audience of 1.5 billion.
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The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
A list of the animal rescue organisations in the UAE
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Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Where can I submit a sample?
Volunteers can now submit DNA samples at a number of centres across Abu Dhabi. The programme is open to all ages.
Collection centres in Abu Dhabi include:
- Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC)
- Biogenix Labs in Masdar City
- Al Towayya in Al Ain
- NMC Royal Hospital in Khalifa City
- Bareen International Hospital
- NMC Specialty Hospital, Al Ain
- NMC Royal Medical Centre - Abu Dhabi
- NMC Royal Women’s Hospital.
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ABU%20DHABI%20CARD
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Studying addiction
This month, Dubai Medical College launched the Middle East’s first master's programme in addiction science.
Together with the Erada Centre for Treatment and Rehabilitation, the college offers a two-year master’s course as well as a one-year diploma in the same subject.
The move was announced earlier this year and is part of a new drive to combat drug abuse and increase the region’s capacity for treating drug addiction.
Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
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MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Bayern Munich 1
Kimmich (27')
Real Madrid 2
Marcelo (43'), Asensio (56')
