Last year, 300,147 motorists were fined for driving below the minimum speed limit on UAE roads, according to the Ministry of Interior’s traffic accident statistics, as reported by Emarat AlYoum. This slow driving contributed to numerous accidents.
The federal traffic law imposes a fine of Dh400 for driving below the minimum speed limit and failing to give way to faster vehicles from behind or in the overtaking lane. The law designates right lanes for slower vehicles and left lanes for faster and overtaking traffic.
In May 2023, Abu Dhabi introduced a minimum speed limit of 120kph in the first two lanes of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Road in both directions to reduce accidents and improve traffic flow. The maximum speed on this highway is 140kph. Slower vehicles are allowed in the third lane, where no minimum speed is specified, while heavy vehicles must use the last lane, which is not subject to the minimum speed rule.
Tailgating, or not maintaining enough distance between vehicles, also carries a fine of Dh400. In Abu Dhabi, tailgating radars penalize both the front and rear vehicles on the fast lane, with the vehicle at the back receiving an additional four black points.