The UAE government has tripled the fine for failing to give way to emergency service vehicles to Dh3,000.
The Ministry of Interior said motorists who break the law will have their cars impounded for a month and receive six black points on their licence.
The new regulation comes into force on July 1. Previously, the penalty for failing to give way to emergency vehicles was Dh1,000 and six black points.
The fine for Not Giving Way to Emergency Vehicles will be Revised to AED3000 and 30 Days Confiscation of the Vehicle Starting July 1st 2019
— وزارة الداخلية (@moiuae) June 17, 2019
https://t.co/Yv1ofLBmOl#GiveWay @dubaipolicehq @adpolicehq @shjpolice @rakpoliceghq @ajmanpolice @uaq_police @fujpoliceghq@NAmbulanceUAE pic.twitter.com/fDSTAFZCpf
The state news agency Wam reported that the move aims to improve road and traffic safety and reduce the number of deaths owing to traffic accidents.
Authorities have urged drivers to be more aware of emergency crews responding to accidents and to give way in traffic to let them pass.
Emergency services in UAE have previously raised concerns over motorists not making way, saying some drivers even stop to watch or shoot video of accidents.
Between 80 and 120 drivers in Dubai are fined each year for not giving way to emergency crews, according to 2017 figures from police.
In 2016, Abu Dhabi's Department of Transport mulled plans for an emergency vehicle priority system that would allow civil defence, ambulance and rescue services to send signals to traffic lights as they approach them – prompting the lights to change in their favour.
A launch date for the central traffic control system was not given at the time.
