British drink-driver on wrong side of the road jailed by Dubai court

Traffic police chief reminds public of UAE's zero-tolerance approach to driving under the influence of alcohol

The UAE has a zero-tolerance policy to driving under the influence of alcohol. Getty

A drink-driver who travelled on the wrong side of the road, crashed into an electric gate and ran a red light has been sentenced to one month in prison by a Dubai court.

Prosecutors said the British citizen, 42, consumed a significant amount of alcohol before getting behind the wheel.

Police in Bur Dubai saw the man driving recklessly and causing damage to property.

Dubai Traffic Court sentenced him to one month in prison and suspended his driving licence for six months.

Prosecutors said the man was driving his car against the flow of traffic while under the influence of alcohol, failed to stop at a red light and hit an electric gate.

He was arrested and ordered to take a breathalyser test, which returned an “extremely high” reading of alcohol in his blood, prosecutors said. The date and time of the incident were not disclosed.

He admitted the charges during questioning.

The UAE has a zero-tolerance approach to drinking and driving. This means there is no legal limit for alcohol use when in charge of a vehicle.

“The 42-year-old motorist was convicted of several traffic offences including drink-driving,” said Salah Bu Faroosha Al Falasi, senior advocate general and head of traffic prosecution in Dubai.

The traffic chief urged all drivers to exercise extreme caution when on the road and to adhere to all traffic rules.

“Dubai authorities maintain zero tolerance against drunk-driving,” he said.

Recent legal reforms explained: in pictures

Alcohol consumption without a licence is no longer criminalised. Licences are required to buy items in wine shops in Dubai. It is an offence to drink in the street or to be drunk in a public place. Getty Images

The law allows for the legal cohabitation of unmarried couples, and sex outside of marriage is, in effect, decriminalised. Until 2020, it was illegal for an unmarried couple, or even unrelated flatmates, to share a home, though punishments were rare. Getty Images

There is no longer potential punishment for the parents of children born out of wedlock. The law stresses the welfare of the child and for parents to take responsibility

Expat couples seeking a divorce can request that the UAE court does not follow a shariah-based legal process. Instead, a judge and lawyers can divide assets and approve the divorce in a manner that is similar to the couple's home country. Getty Images

Workers must be allowed to move to another employer as they wish, and current bosses cannot block such a move. If someone is made redundant, they have up to 180 days, not 30 days, until their visa runs out and they must leave the country

The law will ensure ‘Good Samaritans’ who intervene in situations where people are in need cannot be held liable for the outcome of those they help. Under a long-standing, but rarely used clause, it had been possible for someone who went to the aid of someone, to give CPR or other first aid, to be help accountable for their injury or death. Getty Images

There are a number of amendments seeking to protect the rights of women. There will be no longer a distinction of crimes known as ‘honour crimes’, where a male relative can get a lighter sentence for assaulting a female relative under the guise of ‘protecting honour’. Getty Images

There have also been changes to UAE drug laws that limit criminal action against those in possession of items containing cannabis extracts, such as in cosmetics and health products. AP

The new law mandates that translators are provided for defendants and witnesses in court, if they do not speak Arabic. The court must ensure legal translators are available. Getty Images

Ahmed Ibrahim Saif, senior judge at the Dubai Civil Court and former chief justice of Dubai's criminal courts, said the reforms reflect the UAE’s efforts to promote tolerance and co-existence.

Judge Ayman Abdul Hakam, former head of the One Day Court in Dubai, predicts further changes to keep pace with the developments UAE is constantly achieving.

Hassan Elhais, senior partner at Al Rowaad Advocates & Legal Consultants, said disputes related to family-owned assets have disappeared thanks to the revamped laws.