An Abu Dhabi driver racked up Dh1.4 million in unpaid fines, leading police to change course to clamp down on law-breaking road users.
Brig Gen Salem Al Dhaheri, the emirate's deputy traffic chief, said the motorist was one of a number of people to accumulate huge financial penalties, with another motorist building up Dh1.2 million in unpaid fines.
Brig Gen Al Dhaheri said the penalties were issued for speeding, not wearing a seat belt, and exceeding the permitted window tint percentage among other offences.
He would not reveal the maximum amount of fines accumulated by a single motorist but said the outstanding fees led to the introduction of a new impoundment law. The time period in which the fines were recorded was also not revealed.
Last month, Abu Dhabi Police brought in a car impoundment rule as a penalty for drivers whose unpaid fines surpassed Dh7,000.
Law 5 of 2020 punishes specific traffic offences with a car impoundment and increased the fees to release a seized vehicle.
"As Abu Dhabi Police, we did not have the authority to catch a car who has reached an unreasonable number of unpaid fines, before this law," he said.
“We could only do that if the car’s registration had expired.”
According to UAE traffic laws, a car can be impounded for seven days if its registration has been expired for more than three months, in addition to a Dh500 fine.
The law, however, allows motorists to avoid impoundment by paying Dh100 for each day of impoundment.
“Now the law allows us to stop a car on the street, or wherever it is parked, and impound it if the fines registered against it have not been paid after exceeding Dh7,000.”
The car will only be released once all due amounts are settled.
Previously, some motorists would avoid paying fines by not renewing their vehicle registration, said Brig Gen Al Dhaheri, during a virtual lecture organised by Majalis Abu Dhabi, under the Crown Prince’s Court.
The emirate's roads are now equipped with cameras that detect cars with expired registrations.
“So [now], motorists cannot avoid renewing their car registration. They will eventually get caught.”
He said the new law aimed to encourage motorists to pay off their fines immediately to avoid accumulating large amounts.
"We don't want fines to pile up. We want to help motorists pay on time.
“I have come across more than one person who told me ‘we don’t have money left to pay [the fines]’.
"They don’t think ahead – that the car will be caught anyway after its registration has expired.”
He said the force was keen for people to immediately pay off fines so they may be deterred from repeating traffic offences.
He said the threat of car impoundment would act as a greater deterrent than facing the consequences months later when renewing a vehicle's registration.
“Our goal is also to reduce traffic violations in order to increase road safety.”
The essentials
What: Emirates Airline Festival of Literature
When: Friday until March 9
Where: All main sessions are held in the InterContinental Dubai Festival City
Price: Sessions range from free entry to Dh125 tickets, with the exception of special events.
Hot Tip: If waiting for your book to be signed looks like it will be timeconsuming, ask the festival’s bookstore if they have pre-signed copies of the book you’re looking for. They should have a bunch from some of the festival’s biggest guest authors.
Information: www.emirateslitfest.com
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Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
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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 five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
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