Drivers opening car doors while in motion or recording themselves behind the wheel for online clout face serious legal consequences, Abu Dhabi Police have made clear, as the authority moves to crack down on traffic violations driven by the pursuit of social media fame.
Under existing traffic law, anyone found endangering others on the road faces a AED2,000 fine, 23 black points on their licence, and a 60-day vehicle impoundment. Retrieving an impounded vehicle carries an additional fee of AED50,000.
The warnings fall under Abu Dhabi Police’s “Smart Road Safety” strategic priority, a broader initiative focused on improving road conditions across the emirate. Authorities described the behaviours as clear breaches of traffic regulations that put motorists, passengers, and pedestrians at risk.
Police drew a direct line between the desire for online popularity — more followers, more views — and the decision to engage in reckless conduct on public roads, saying the two cannot be weighed against each other. The pursuit of attention online, they stated, offers no justification for placing lives in danger.
Drivers were reminded that road safety is not an individual concern but a collective one, and that responsible behaviour at the wheel is expected at all times.
