In a massive enforcement action against traffic rule breaching, more than 409,300 drivers have been fined Dh400 each for speeding slowly in the UAE — with a whopping 99% of the transgressions reported in Abu Dhabi alone. The fines were imposed for speeding slowly and causing obstruction to speedier traffic on major highways.
Authorities reported that most of the violations took place on highways where there is a minimum speed limit of 120 km/h, especially on multi-lane highways where slow drivers in high-speed lanes become hazards. Drivers who were below the minimum limit or who clogged quicker vehicles were fined according to federal traffic codes.
The Abu Dhabi Police made a point that going slow can be as perilous as speeding, usually resulting in sudden braking, tailgating, and lane-changing accidents. The move to penalize it is among the initiatives aimed at enhancing the free flow of traffic and improving road safety for everyone.
Officers have also appealed to drivers to remain in the correct lanes based on their speed and to pay closer attention to road signs showing minimum speed limits. With enforcement becoming more stringent, it is hoped that traffic jams and unnecessary accidents due to lane abuse and reckless driving practices can be greatly minimized.
