The Dubai Police will now seize vehicles for up to 30 days for several serious traffic offences. Using mobile phones while driving, tailgating, and making sudden lane changes are among the violations that will result in a 30-day impoundment.
According to federal traffic law, fines for these offences range from Dh400 to Dh1,000 and may also result in four black points. With this new amendment, the 30-day impoundment will be an extra penalty for drivers in Dubai.
The definition of phone driving includes being distracted by devices while behind the wheel. Making sudden movements that threaten safety, not keeping a safe distance from the car in front, and heavy vehicles not following lane rules will also lead to a 30-day impoundment.
Shorter Impoundments for Other Violations
Other traffic offences will result in a 14-day vehicle impoundment. These include:
- Entering a road without ensuring it is clear
- Reversing in a way that endangers lives or property
- Not following lane discipline
- Stopping in the road without a reason
- Overtaking dangerously
- Failing to meet safety and security standards in the vehicle
- Stopping on the roadside without an emergency, or overtaking from the shoulder
- Driving without a license plate
- Obstructing traffic while driving
- Changing the vehicle’s color without permission
This is not the first time Dubai has added penalties for reckless driving. Last year, authorities imposed a Dh50,000 fee to release seized vehicles for serious traffic violations, including reckless driving and running a red light. Many drivers have been penalized since these new rules took effect.
Accident Rates and Distracted Driving
Reckless driving caused 94 accidents in Dubai during the first six months of 2024. A recent survey found that one in three drivers admitted to using their phones while driving.
“Nine out of ten drivers believe distracted driving is dangerous, but only 81 percent of motorists stay fully focused on the road. This means one in five drivers around us isn’t paying full attention,” the survey, commissioned by RoadSafetyUAE and Al Wathba Insurance, revealed.
