Scratched bumpers and low-speed parking lot collisions may seem trivial, but Sharjah Police are reminding drivers that walking away from any traffic incident — no matter how small — carries the same legal classification as a hit-and-run.
The clarification is part of a new awareness campaign targeting a widespread misunderstanding among motorists: that minor scrapes in car parks or residential streets fall outside the scope of mandatory accident reporting. Authorities say that assumption is wrong, and costly.
Drivers who leave the scene of a minor collision face a Dh500 fine, eight black points on their traffic record, and a seven-day vehicle impoundment. Reclaiming the car can cost up to Dh5,000 in release fees. For drivers who accumulate enough black points across violations, licence suspension becomes a real possibility.
To illustrate how quickly a routine incident can turn into a legal matter, Sharjah Police released a video as part of the campaign showing collisions occurring in tight spaces — narrow roads and parking facilities where minor accidents are most common. The footage is intended to show that the decision to drive off, even briefly, triggers a formal criminal classification.
Motorists who witness or are involved in an accident are directed to stay at the scene, check on anyone involved, and file a report either through the Sharjah Police app or by calling 901 for non-emergency situations. Officials noted that early reporting typically results in a faster resolution and shields drivers from penalties that can far exceed whatever damage the original incident caused.
