Dubai traffic fines decrease by 37 per cent since amendments to traffic law

Traffic fines in Dubai dropped by 37 per cent during the first week that the amended traffic laws were introduced from July 1.

Police issued 59,777 traffic fines during the first week of July compared to 94,964 fines in the last week of June, according to statistics from Dubai Traffic Police.

The most common traffic offences were not driving within the correct lane, parking incorrectly, driving with passengers not wearing seat belts, not leaving a safe distance between vehicles, sudden swerving, tailgating and blocking traffic.

Maj Gen Mohammed Al Zafeen, chairman of the Federal Traffic Council and assistant commander-in-chief of Dubai Police, said the decrease in numbers was promising.

“I expect a gradual drop in all road offences and more commitment by motorists,” he said.

“The recent amendments to traffic rules will entrench a traffic culture that will gradually become part of motorists’ daily habits.”

Maj Gen Al Zafeen said he expects negative driving behaviour to disappear within the next few months.

He also advised the public to pay their fines as soon while discounts on fines in Dubai apply.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, announced that, as of July 1, all traffic fines committed in Dubai in 2016 or before will be discounted by 50 per cent.