Come March, You May Have To Pay Up To AED2,00,000 Fine For Breaking Jaywalking & Other Traffic Offences

It’s no secret that the UAE government announced several measures quite recently pertaining to the traffic law. However, many were also aimed at improving safety and several penalties were also introduced for violating the same. A new federal law on traffic regulations is going to come into effect on March 29, 2025, which includes several measures. As you may have already gathered, imprisonment and penalties have been announced for violation of several UAE laws, such as jaywalking, driving under the influence of drugs, and even hitting and running.

UAE Introduces Traffic Law

The UAE government on Friday, October 25 announced several new rules regarding the traffic law in the nation. One of the most notable laws happens to be the fact that the driving law has been reduced to 17 years for everybody. However, the federal decree law on traffic regulations also provides a comprehensive guideline for imprisonment and fines for violating the same. Yes, several traffic violations from jaywalking to hit & run have been covered under this law and he has a comprehensive list of offences that might fetch you a hefty fine or even imprisonment on violation.

Jaywalking

For the unversed, this is the act of crossing a road from an undesignated area. And undertaking this activity will now fetch you a fine of AED400. However, a jaywalker might even face imprisonment or a heavier penalty of AED5000 to AED10,000 if this offence results in a traffic accident. In fact, higher penalties will be imposed on any person who crosses from an area where the speed limit is over 80 km/h. They can be given imprisonment for no less than three months and might even be liable to pay a fine of an amount not less than AED10000.

Also Read: UAE Becomes The First Middle Eastern Country To Reduce Driving Age To 17 Years; Details Inside

Driving Under The Influence Of Alcohol Or Drugs.

Another offence that can fetch you a hefty fine, the violator can pay up to AED200,000 for partaking in this activity. In fact, the court can also impose imprisonment and a fine of not less than AED30,000 besides the driving licence facing the chance of being suspended for a period of a minimum of six months for the first offence. For the second and third offences, this might lead to cancellation. For the first offence of driving under the influence of alcohol, the violator can be imprisoned and they might have to pay a fine of not less than AED20,000 but up to AED100000.

Hit & Run Case

If a person is found guilty of deliberately committing this crime, they will be liable to pay a fine of not less than AED50000. However, this fine will be exceeding AED100000 and will be punishable with an imprisonment of not more than two years. They must be guilty of the following actions:

• Failure to stop without any valid reason when the accident occurs, which has resulted in the injury of a person.
• Vehicle owner causing a crime or accident and failing to provide any information that can reveal the circumstances under which the accident happened.
• Escaping the police officers
• Any deliberate collision with the traffic control authority vehicles, security personal vehicles while on duty, and military vehicles.

Suspended, Unrecognised Licence For Driving

A person is liable to be awarded up to 3 months of imprisonment if they are caught driving with a suspended license. Yes, they may also be liable to pay a penalty of not less than AED10,000. In fact, someone driving on the UAE roads with a foreign driving license that is not recognised in the country is punishable by a fine of AED2000 to AED10,000 for the first offence.

Driving Without Proper Licence

If a person is found guilty of driving without a proper license, then they can be punished either by imprisonment of up to 3 months or with a fine of AED5000 to AED50,000. It could even by both the penalties. However, for repeated offences, the driver can be imprisoned for no less than three months and a fine of AED20,000 to AED100000.

Causing Death Due To Negligence

If a person is found guilty of causing death on the road he will be punished for this offence. Yes, he will be charged a fine of not less than AED50,000. But if he is found causing this offence by skipping a red light, driving a vehicle under the influence, driving a vehicle with a suspended or cancelled driving licence, or even driving in the valley during floods. The fine will be no less than AED100000 and imprisonment faced will be no less than one year!

Misusing License Plate

If a person commits this offence, he will be punished with imprisonment and/or a fine of a minimum of AED20,000.

So, take note of these offences if you wish to steer clear of jail time and paying fines.

Cover Image Courtesy: Canva (Image is for representative purposes only)