Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has a set of strict rules and regulations in the Emirate. These rules regulate the traffic flow and maintain road safety. That said, the authority has set certain laws for heavy-duty vehicle owners. The owners must abide by all of these road laws.
We have prepared a quick guide on RTA laws for heavy vehicles. Let’s go through its details.
RTA RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR HEAVY-DUTY VEHICLES
In the UAE, a vehicle that weighs more than 2.5 tonnes is termed a heavy vehicle. These include trucks, trailers, or mover vehicles. For maximum road safety and smooth traffic flow, RTA Dubai has laws for such vehicles which must be obeyed by the drivers.
Here are the RTA laws for heavy vehicles and their details.
SPEED LIMITS
All motorists must adhere to the UAE speed limits. In Dubai, the speed limit for trucks and heavy vehicles is 80 km/hr. However, the speed limit for smaller vehicles such as minivans is up to 120 km/hr. The road signs for these speed limits can be found on highways and freeways. Therefore, heavy-vehicle drivers must drive within these limits and follow the safety protocol.
Moreover, the authority urges drivers to take notice of the set speed limit according to their vehicle. Depending on the size, handling, performance and centre of gravity, the vehicle must be driven at an appropriate and safe speed.
RULES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Drivers of heavy vehicles are often subjected to different road conditions. It is important to have a basic knowledge of driving such a vehicle to avoid rule violations and traffic fines in Dubai.
Under the UAE traffic law Number, 21, all heavy-vehicle drivers must follow these rules:
- The motorist must abide by all the traffic rules and regulations. The road signs, signals and police instructions must be obeyed without any inappropriate behaviour. The driver’s conduct of code must ensure that no vehicle is blocked by their movement or encounters any harm.
- All road users must follow the law provisions applicable to everyone.
- All drivers must use three-dimensional warnings or spotlights during parking. The rule is a safety precaution for driving at night. This is in case there are no street lights on the road or if there is poor visibility. Once the vehicle is parked, a warning triangle must be placed 50 metres from it in the direction of incoming traffic.
SEAT BELTS
Properly adjusted seat belts are a legal requirement when driving in Dubai. It also comes under the rights and responsibilities of bus passengers in Dubai. That said, the drivers of trucks, buses or similar vehicles are instructed to wear seat belts to avoid any accidents or injuries. Seat belts play a major role in increasing driver and passenger safety and preventing harm in case of a crash.
PARKING
Parking appropriately is another RTA law for heavy vehicles. The vehicle must be parked away from houses, shops and schools and must not hinder the traffic flow. Besides, the driver must be mindful of the parking place and duration. Only park in those areas which have parking signs, otherwise the driver would be fined. It should be also avoided to prevent any harm to other road users.
ROAD SIGNS
Apart from proper parking and driving within speed limits, it is also crucial to follow the road signs in the UAE and have a basic understanding of them. These signs are usually placed on public roads to capture the attention of motorists, provide a clear message and give enough time to act accordingly. These signs are useful for the users as:
- As a road law which must be followed
- As a guide
- As a warning
The drivers must follow these signs to help ease the traffic flow and increase road safety. This should also be done due to the following reasons:
- Complex road networks in the Emirates
- Increase in traffic volumes
- Increase in visitors who are unaware of the road network
REGULATORY SIGNS
These signs are used to control the road user’s acts. They must be obeyed to prevent any offence to the authority. They are in red and white or blue and white colour. Regulatory signs include:
Mandatory signs
To show necessary traffic actions. For example: Ahead only, keep left, turn right only etc.
Prohibitory Signs
To indicate forbidden objects or actions like no pedestrians, no ‘U-turns’ or no goods vehicles.
Control signs
To indicate the right direction such as stop, give way to pedestrians etc.
Parking Control Signs
To manage the parking and stopping of vehicles. These include handicapped parking which adds to the driving facilities for POD in the UAE and Metre Parking.
Freeway Control Signs
To show the start and end of freeways. Some important freeway rules are:
- A non-motorised vehicle should not be operated on or near the freeway.
- Walking on foot near or on the freeway.
- Reversing or stopping the vehicle on the road.
- Parking, driving or stopping on median, shoulder or roadside areas.
- The driving speed must be less than 30 km/hr of the posted speed limit on the freeway
Other traffic signs include:
- Advanced warning signs
- Hazard marker signs
- Diagrammatic signs
- Guide signs
- Trailblazing guide signs
- Exit direction signs
Moreover, the drivers are instructed to slow down or stop during busy hours of the day near schools. It is also another RTA heavy vehicle road restriction that they must also slow down when seeing a sign for domestic animals that are herded across the roads. Also, do not use horns as it frightens the animals and they might run and could be harmed.
Apart from these rules, the drivers of other vehicles can go through this guide on driving around heavy vehicles as a safety measure. If you are a new heavy-vehicle driver in Dubai, you can take an EDI heavy truck driving course for further assistance.
This is all on the RTA laws for heavy vehicles. This set of regulations must be followed by all heavy vehicle drivers to keep themselves and others safe. Also, if you are in search of such vehicles, go through these used heavy vehicles in the UAE.
Additionally, if you are looking for a car for a regular commute in the Emirate, browse these used cars for sale in Dubai.
Stay tuned to dubizzle’s autos blog for more on driving rules and etiquette in the Emirates.
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