Dubai is known for its luxury and iconic buildings, however, it also faces challenging weather at times. While the Emirate enjoys plenty of sunshine throughout the year, Dubai occasionally experiences sandstorms and heavy rain. To maintain safety, authorities have established fines for rule violations. Following we will cover weather-related traffic fines in Dubai to help you stay safe. Moreover, by understanding these rules, you can also ensure others’ safety and avoid penalties while driving.
List of Weather-Related Traffic Fines in Dubai
While rain can offer a refreshing change, motorists must exercise caution and adhere to necessary safety measures when driving in Dubai. Here are some weather-related traffic fines that can help both drivers and passengers stay safe during bad weather driving.
Taking Photos While Driving
- Fine: AED 800, 4 black points
Taking photos while driving is a common traffic violation in Dubai and across the UAE. According to Article 32 of the Federal Traffic Law, using a mobile phone while driving is categorised as distracted driving and considered harmful. This behaviour diverts a driver’s attention from the road, increasing the risk of accidents. Moreover, automated mobile radars have also been installed across the UAE to track motorists using cell phones while driving.
Statistics from Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) indicate that texting while driving can increase the likelihood of an accident by up to 32% while reducing a driver’s reaction time by as much as 50%. To avoid bad weather-related traffic fines in Dubai, refrain from using your mobile phone for photography or any other distractions while driving.
Driving with Hazard Lights On
- Fine: AED 500, 4 black points
During conditions of reduced visibility such as sandstorms or heavy rain, some motorists make the mistake of leaving their hazard lights on while driving. This violation can result in an AED 500 fine along with four black points on your driving licence.
Using hazard lights while driving activates all four indicator lights on your vehicle, making it impossible to signal lane changes to other road users. If weather conditions deteriorate to the point where safe driving is not possible, it is advisable to pull over to a safe location. Hazard lights should only be used when your car is stationary or during a breakdown. However, knowing how to jumpstart a car in the rain can help you to avoid getting stuck on the road.
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Driving in Foggy Weather Without Lights
- Fine: AED 400, 4 black points
Article 104 (b) of the Federal Traffic Law explicitly states that driving in foggy weather without turning on your vehicle’s lights is a traffic violation. If caught, you may receive an AED 400 fine along with four black points on your driving licence.
Foggy conditions significantly reduce visibility on the road and having your headlights on not only helps you see better but also makes your vehicle more visible to others. Case in point, it is essential to turn on your headlights when driving in fog to ensure your safety and avoid penalties.
Violating Competent Authority’s Instructions in Foggy Weather
- Fine: AED 400, 4 black points
During foggy conditions, police authorities may issue instructions restricting certain vehicles from driving on the road as a precautionary measure. Article 104 (c) of the UAE Traffic Law stipulates that violating these instructions will result in an AED 400 fine and four black points on your driving licence.
These measures are designed to enhance safety during reduced visibility. Therefore, it is imperative to adhere to any instructions issued by competent authorities during adverse weather conditions to avoid fines and maintain road safety. Also, make sure you remove fog from car glass before hitting the road.
Changing Lanes Without Using Indicators
- Fine: AED 400
Failing to use your vehicle’s indicators while changing lanes, especially during challenging weather conditions, poses a significant risk to road safety. Indicators are essential for communicating your intentions to other drivers, allowing them to anticipate your actions and react accordingly. When driving in adverse weather, where visibility is limited, using your indicators becomes even more crucial to prevent accidents. This is why, you must know how to change lanes in the UAE along with its rules and regulations.
Reckless Driving
- Fine: AED 2,000, 23 black points, 60-day impoundment
Reckless driving is again one of the common fines for violations during bad Weather in Dubai. It encompasses a range of dangerous behaviours such as endangering the lives of others, obstructing traffic, disregarding traffic signals and making sudden manoeuvres. These actions become even more hazardous during challenging weather conditions like heavy rain and fog. This is why, it is important to prepare a car for the rainy season.
Dubai authorities take reckless driving seriously and fines for such behaviour are substantial. In addition to an AED 2,000 fine, offenders may receive 23 black points on their driving licence and their vehicle may be impounded for 60 days. It is crucial to exercise caution and adhere to traffic rules, especially when weather conditions are unfavourable.
Gathering Near Valleys, Floods and Dams During Rainy Weather
- Fine: AED 1,000, six black points
This traffic violation was recently introduced to Dubai’s traffic laws to enhance traffic safety during emergencies. The Ministry of Interior implemented this violation to discourage motorists from visiting valleys during rainy weather or gathering near flooded areas and dams. Moreover, you can also use these car safety tips for roadside emergencies in case of any uncertain situation.
Entering Flooded Valleys Regardless of Danger Level
- Fine: AED 2,000 fine, 23 black points, 60-day vehicle impoundment
During adverse weather, roads may be closed for safety. Ignoring closure signs and driving into flooded valleys results in an AED 2,000 fine, 23 black points on your driving record and a 60-day vehicle impoundment. This strict penalty aims to deter reckless behaviour and ensure safety during hazardous conditions. Here are some essential tips that can help you in repairing a flooded car in case of heavy downpours.
Obstructing Relevant Authorities During Emergencies and Rains
- Fine: AED 1,000, four black points, 60-day impoundment
Another weather-related traffic fine in Dubai includes involvement in obstruction of relevant authorities during rain, flood or any other emergency. During emergencies, disasters, crises, heavy rains, or flooded valleys, obstructing relevant authorities is a serious offence. Those found guilty of this offence face an AED 1,000 fine, four black points on their driving record and a 60-day vehicle impoundment. These penalties are in place to ensure that authorities can effectively respond to critical situations without hindrance. Make sure you follow the tips to drive in rain for your and other’s safety.
Bad Weather Fines in Abu Dhabi
Besides these fines, other Emirates such as Abu Dhabi have also implemented fines related to driving in bad weather. For instance; during adverse weather conditions, such as heavy rain or fog, Abu Dhabi Police may issue advisories to motorists, informing them of reduced speed limits on the emirate’s roads. Failing to adhere to these reduced speed limits can result in speeding tickets, with fines varying based on the extent of the violation.
For instance, if authorities find you driving over the speed limit by 20 km/h, you could receive an AED 300 fine. Fines increase incrementally for greater speed violations, with exceeding the maximum speed limit in the UAE by more than 80 km/h resulting in an AED 3,000 fine, 23 black points on your driving licence and a 60-day impoundment of your vehicle.
FAQs
What are the penalties for taking photos while driving in Dubai during bad weather?
Taking photos while driving in Dubai, especially during adverse weather conditions, can lead to a fine of AED 800 and add 4 black points to your driving record.
What fines are associated with driving recklessly in Dubai during challenging weather?
Reckless driving during bad weather in Dubai can result in a fine of AED 2,000, along with 23 black points on your driving licence. Additionally, authorities may impound your vehicle for 60 days.
What are the advised reduced speed limits during adverse weather conditions in Abu Dhabi?
During heavy rain or fog, Abu Dhabi Police may lower speed limits on the emirate’s roads. Failing to adhere to these reduced speed limits can result in speeding fines. For example, exceeding the speed limit by 20 km/h can lead to an AED 300 fine while exceeding it by more than 80 km/h incurs a penalty of AED 3,000, 23 black points and a 60-day vehicle impoundment.
This is all about weather-related traffic fines in Dubai. To stay safe follow traffic rules to avoid bad weather-related traffic fines in Dubai. This means you should not take photos while driving and use hazard lights correctly.
Besides, here is a list of new traffic fines under AED 2,000 in Dubai. These fines are imposed for unstable weather conditions across the UAE.
Besides, you can also install windshield rain sensors that will help you in switching on the wipers automatically.
Moreover, when you plan to buy a used car in Dubai it is important to prioritise safety and stay informed about weather. Moreover, you must obey traffic rules in Dubai while navigating.
Stay updated in the dubizzle car blog and drive safely during bad weather.
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