UAE | Traffic and Transport

Black points await errant drivers

A black point system for traffic offences is to be implemented across all the emirates starting March 1, senior Ministry of Interior officials said on Sunday.

  • By Rayeesa Absal, Staff Reporter
  • Published: 23:29 February 24, 2008
  • Gulf News

  • On March 1, the new Unified Federal Traffic Law comes into effect putting in place hefty penalties for serious traffic offences. This picture is used for illustrative purposes only.
  • Image Credit: Gulf News Archive

Abu Dhabi: A black point system for traffic offences is to be implemented across all the emirates starting March 1, senior Ministry of Interior officials said on Sunday.

Click here for the list of violations, fines and black points (pdf)

On March 1, the new Unified Federal Traffic Law comes into effect putting in place hefty penalties for serious traffic offences as well as black points against the licence of the driver.

"Earlier errant drivers could get away with paying comparatively low fines, but from now on the rules are getting tough", said Lieutenant General Saif Al Shafa'ar, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Interior, at a press conference, announcing amendments made to the Federal Traffic Law. Fourteen amendments have been made to the traffic law.

"The lives of 1,056 people were lost in 2007 alone all over the country in traffic accidents. This number is what forced the ministry to come up with the changes," he said.

The strategy of the ministry is to cut down traffic deaths as much as possible by effective changes in the traffic law clubbed with stringent implementation techniques, Al Shafa'ar said, adding that the new law will save lives and create a safe environment for all road users.

The maximum number of black points a motorist can incur in a year is 24 at which point his licence is suspended. Once a person collects 24 black points, the licence will be suspended for three months. If a motorist collects 24 points for the second time, the license will be suspended for six months. If it happens for the third time, the licence will be taken away for one year and will not be returned until the driver passes a training course from an institute authorised by the traffic department."

Senior officials said that if a motorist has collected, for example, 20 black points and feels that his licence could soon be taken away if he accumulates 24 points, he can take a training course at an authorised driving institute. Police will then remove 8 points. This option can be utilised only once a year.

Impounded

If a driver is below 21 years and collects 24 black points, then the licence will be impounded for six months. It will be returned after the driver passes a driving course. Also, if a driver gets 24 black points within six months of issuance of his licence the licence will be cancelled and the person cannot apply for a test only after one year following the date of cancellation.

All government owned vehicles are exempt from these rules. The traffic department will inform the owner about details of the offences. If the vehicle was driven by another driver, the owner must send the driver to the traffic department within a month of notice. Otherwise the vehicle may be impounded for a month.

If the driver of a heavy vehicle has caused an accident which results in the flipping over of vehicles, or he has jumped a red light or overtaken in places not allowed, the vehicle will be impounded for one month and licence will be suspended for one year.

The ministry has already started an awareness campaign to reach out to all sections of society to familiarise them with the new law. Arabic, English, Urdu and Malayalam brochures will be distributed to the public as part of the campaign.

As part of the new law some vehicles have been exempt from registration and licensing fees such as vehicles belonging to those with special needs.

New leaf: Cancelled every year

In case a person gets five black points in May 2008 and gets another five in October, the points incurred in May 2008 will be cancelled in May 2009 unless the motorist has incurred 24 points in the year when the licence will be suspended.

Similarly, the points incurred in October 2008 will be cancelled in the same month the following year.


Your comments


I believe this is one of the best laws by the concerned authority. There are a lot of reckless drivers forcing the other drivers to make mistakes by flashing their lights very often, though it is impossible to give them way due to the traffic.
Uday Kumar
Sharjah,INDIA
Posted: February 25, 2008, 15:41

This is a good initiative to change the attitude of rough drivers. Attitude can only change under some fear (in this case, penalities in form of harsh fines, withdrawl of licence and jail etc.) or some inclination towards getting a reward in any shape. Or maybe some people who abide by the rules and respect laws. I believe the police should also encourage law abiding drivers by providing them with some sort of rewards. This jointly put into practice could really prove to be a grand success.
Bal Bains
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: February 25, 2008, 14:57

Let's be hopeful that the new system brings in a positive change. However, as a person travelling daily from Sharjah to Dubai, no Police or Radar is available to stop the traffic violations in the Al Nahda Interchange. Hope some prompt action is taken.
Arti
Dubai,UAE
Posted: February 25, 2008, 14:28

Nice, but too strict. If my car is driven by another person if he will get break the law, who will get the black points?
Muhammad
Dubai,UAE
Posted: February 25, 2008, 13:57

I am happy that at least the worst drivers will think twice before driving rashly. In Australia everyone drives carefully otherwise we end up losing the license because of black points.
Arif
Sydney,Australia
Posted: February 25, 2008, 13:51

To the reader who complained about speeding fines: why don't you focus on driving within speed limits instead of locating radars?
Zaid
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: February 25, 2008, 13:38

Well done ! These changes were required long back. However, it is still not too late. I think if one life is saved from these heavy fines, it will make a big difference. I salute the UAE Goverment for caring for people's lives.
Ali
Dubai,U.A.E
Posted: February 25, 2008, 13:35

I get ridiculed while driving for preferring to maintain the speed limit, giving way to traffic and for stopping at pedestrian crossings. However, we must understand that abiding by some rules is actually less stressful in the long run. I hope whoever deserves these fines are penalised and learn to drive with sufficient road-sense and manners.
Ineke
Dubai,UAE
Posted: February 25, 2008, 13:30

I am glad to hear that the traffic department is trying their best to get control on the day by day traffic violations. I have always experienced many vehicles suddenly changing their lanes without flashing direction indicators and it is a high risk when you are with your family and kids. Instead of maintaining an average distance they will keep a long distance and drive very slow purposely. According to me, 70% of violators are the young generation, 15% the private Taxis and the rest 15% are the pickups, and passenger busses.
Akeel
Dubai,India
Posted: February 25, 2008, 13:23

Thank you for these new stricter penalties! I'm appalled at the current driving on highways that are all in various states of construction. I find the excessive speeding, and flashing of lights completely out of control and extremely dangerous. My only concern is that the fines and penalties are not stiff enough!
William
Dubai,UAE
Posted: February 25, 2008, 13:09

I appreciate the new rules, but heavy fines are not necessary. The point system is very good. thanks.
mohammad
ABU DHABI,Pakistan
Posted: February 25, 2008, 12:56

I notice that you get fined Dh500 for driving a vehicle that causes pollution (Item 40). Surely all cars cause some level of pollution?!
James
Dubai,UAE
Posted: February 25, 2008, 12:37

What are the fines/points for usage of mibile phones while driving?
Shastri
Abu dhabi,UAE
Posted: February 25, 2008, 11:33

I do welcome these new measures to save lives and properties in the U.A.E. While impliementing this as a measure to encourage good driving habits a system of compliments should also be introduced. Eg: Drivers who do not collect any points in a certain period of surveillance (say:3 Years) must be rewarded, either individually or by lot to reach a reasonal population of such PERFECT drivers. Thanks to the Unified Law Legislature.
Ajeesh
Al Ain,UAE
Posted: February 25, 2008, 11:24

Gosh! These penalties are really stiff! The worst is the increased radar fines. The policemen nowadays have found the worst spots to place the radars and surprise the motorists. The driver now has to focus more on hunting for the radar rather than on the traffic ahead. Moreover, the list states a speeding fine of 400dhs if within 10kph, is this from the road speed or the radar set limit?
Amin
Dubai,UAE
Posted: February 25, 2008, 10:05

Although I'm happy that this law will keep violators at bay. I can't help but say that some of the penalties are way too grave. I wish that the Ministry of Interior would look at laws in effect in Europe and in the USA before implementation. Keeping in mind that in some cases there is no bail, which means putting a stop to one's life and career.
Wael
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: February 25, 2008, 09:58

The penalties are too strict.
Saleh
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: February 25, 2008, 08:57

That's great. This rule should be applied to everyone.
Moona
ABU DHABI,UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
Posted: February 25, 2008, 08:50

I have 2 black points which I collected last 2006. Although I have renewed my car registration, the 2 black points still exists in my license. Shouldn't these imposed black points be already cancelled?
Winnie
Dubai,UAE
Posted: February 25, 2008, 08:28

As a frequent traveller from Al Ain to both Dubai and Abu Dhabi, I would like to congratulate the Ministry on this initiative. I have witnessed several accidents and numerous 'near misses' on these roads. The Police must now take action to seriously enforce these new regulations. I look forward to seeing active Police presence on the roads with Police following up on the dangerous driving that is common practice.
Cheryl
Al Ain,UAE
Posted: February 25, 2008, 08:19

We always welcome your new Traffic laws and regulations. It's mandatory to all road users. We hope this new law will save lives and the environment.
karthick
Dubai,U.A.E
Posted: February 25, 2008, 07:55

Will strict laws and hefty penalties make the accident rate go down? Only time will tell. We need to change our driving attitude and should be more courteous on the road and avoid road rage. This will make everyone's life much easier.
Tanveer
Dubai,UAE
Posted: February 25, 2008, 07:46

This is long overdue and with the way driving has deteriorated in the UAE over the last couple years, a welcome change. The exemption of the government vehicles does not make sense. If it is only the emergency vehicles, i.e. Police / Ambulance, it can be understood, but the rule should be applicable to all. Also for heavy vehicles, the vehicle should be impounded for six months, as their capacity to create serious injuries is much more than the average saloon car driver.
Rajesh
Dubai,UAE
Posted: February 25, 2008, 07:24

I appreciate the new rules. As most of the accidents occur due to carelessness of drivers, it is good to impose strict rules and regulations to save the lives of people.
Abdul
Jebal Ali, Dubai,U.A.E.
Posted: February 25, 2008, 07:23

I believe this is the best system of controlling the traffic and making motorists obey the law.
Abid
Victoria BC,Canada
Posted: February 25, 2008, 03:15

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