Dubai Police have enforced new penalties for several traffic violations, with offenders now facing vehicle impoundment for up to 30 days. Offences such as using a mobile phone while driving, tailgating, and sudden deviation of vehicles can lead to this additional penalty under the amended federal traffic law.
According to a Khaleej Times report, the law also includes fines ranging from Dh400 to Dh1,000 and four black points for these violations. A 30-day impoundment applies to motorists who engage in distracted driving, fail to maintain a safe distance, or make sudden dangerous deviations. Heavy vehicles that do not adhere to lane discipline will also face the same consequence.
In addition to the 30-day impoundment, the amendment specifies a 14-day vehicle impoundment for other offences, including dangerous overtaking, lane indiscipline, and improper stopping on the road.
Last year, Dubai authorities introduced a Dh50,000 release fee for serious traffic offences like reckless driving and jumping red lights, with multiple offenders penalized since then.
Reckless driving led to 94 accidents in the first half of 2024, while a recent survey revealed that one in three motorists admitted to using a phone while driving, highlighting the dangers of distracted driving.
