Abu Dhabi: Failure To Give Way To Emergency Vehicles Can Cost You An AED3,000 Fine

Are you someone living in Abu Dhabi who is constantly driving to the place you need to visit in the emirate, whether for work or leisurely purposes? Well, then you will want to know about this important traffic rule. Yes, if you fail to give emergency vehicles the way, then you will be liable to pay a fine of AED3000. Here’s all you need to know about this traffic-related development.

Penalty For Not Letting Emergency Vehicles Pass

On Internal Roads
On narrow streets with no road shoulder, don’t stand still.
When you hear the siren, move immediately to the right or left to clear the way#Dont_Hesitate_Give_Way_for_Emergency_Vehicles_Immediately pic.twitter.com/gOJsKrPqu2

— شرطة أبوظبي (@ADPoliceHQ) August 27, 2025

Not just the fine, but if you fail to comply with this rule, your vehicle can be impounded for 30 days, and you can even get six black points on your driver’s license. So, it is important that you give way to emergency vehicles, not just for the fear of harsh penalties, but because it might be a matter of life and death for someone.

To ensure that motorists on the road give way to emergency vehicles, the Abu Dhabi Police launched a six-month awareness campaign, which was in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Civil Authority. Yes, a campaign which began in May, it was called, ‘Don’t Hesitate – Give Way Immediately’. The campaign educated drivers on how to give way to emergency vehicles. Not to mention, it also highlighted the hefty penalty for non-compliance with the rules.

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How Can Emergency Vehicles Pass Through

So the next question that arises is how emergency vehicles can pass through the vehicles on the roads? Well, they can do so soon in a couple of ways.

• In case of the main roads, emergency vehicles use the left-most lane, so make sure to keep it clear.
• In case of internal roads, emergency vehicles can weave between!
• If there is congestion, an emergency vehicle can use the road shoulder if it is available.
• If the emergency vehicle arrives during a red light, it must stop before the intersection light and wait until the vehicle passes.
• At the roundabout and U-turns, emergency vehicles must enter the roundabout cautiously. Yes, they must do so, without turning against the traffic and moving to the right if the need arises.
• On the roads that feature multiple lanes, emergency vehicles must use the space in the middle of the road to pass through the vehicles.

How Can You Give Way?

But how does one give way to emergency vehicles? Well, it’s quite easy! Drivers need to ensure they follow certain rules. They must stay alert and keep the music low in order to hear sirens. While they are at it, coordinating with other drivers on the road to give way to emergency vehicles is another great method. Not to mention, drivers should not tailgate or follow emergency vehicles, nor should they drive on the road shoulder, which is strictly prohibited, as it is only for emergency vehicles.

Finally, stay calm and avoid making sudden moves and let the emergency vehicles pass you to reach their destination.

Cover Image Courtesy: Canva Pro/Kichigin