30 people caught driving under the influence in Dubai during Eid Al Fitr

The emirate's traffic court presiding judge says four men were arrested on the last night of Ramadan alone.

Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is punishable by a maximum prison sentence of three years, fines of up to Dh20,000, or both. Courtesy Dubai Security

DUBAI // Thirty people were caught driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs in the Eid Al Fitr break, Dubai Traffic Court’s presiding judge says.

Jamal Al Jubaiali said that on the last night of Ramadan, four men were arrested for drink-driving.

Judge Al Jubaiali said more than 95 per cent of the cases referred to the court since the start of the year had received judgments.

And he said the court last year resolved all of the cases before it, including backlogged cases from 2012, greatly exceeding its targets.

Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is punishable by a maximum prison sentence of three years, fines of up to Dh20,000, or both.

“The court gives its decision after deep study of the file and its details, the conditions and circumstances of the offence, as well as its outcomes,” said Judge Al Jubaiali. “These are all taken into consideration by the court when giving a verdict.”

He said many cases, especially minor ones, were heard and resolved on the same day.

“We tend to ease procedures and cut down on time in order not to interrupt people’s lives,” Judge Al Jubaiali said.

“I look into every detail: how much the defendant drank or how much damage. Cases of the same nature do not necessarily have the same verdict.”

The court delivered 186 verdicts on the same day the cases came before the court, he said.

“That took great effort and preparation but it is best for the public that we don’t reschedule many.”

The court deals with all types of traffic cases, as well as appeals against fines or rulings in cases such as driving through a red light, speeding or failing to leave a safe distance between cars.