Dubai: Salik fines for all motorists, either registered or unregistered with the Dubai's road toll system, have been waived for the period between July 1 and October 31, a senior official has announced.
Motorbike users will not be fined at all until December 31. Violations of Salik toll system entailed fines ranging from Dh50 to Dh10,000 from November 1.
The decision to waive fines in the first four months after Salik introduction has been taken as a "goodwill gesture" towards motorists, said Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA). "Motorists also do not have to settle their Salik fines at the time of vehicle registration."
Salik toll gates became operational on July 1 near Al Garhoud Bridge on Shaikh Rashid Road and Al Barsha. Every motorist passing through a toll gate is charged Dh4 as toll fee.
Gulf News has learnt that the RTA's decision to waive fines came after it failed to record fines for violators properly.
Gulf News reported earlier in October that the Salik system had been facing teething problems since it was installed.
"We have been facing some glitches because of wrong information provided by motorists who registered for the Salik system but now the system has been streamlined," an official confided.
Your comments
The only real solution is to put an end to this draconian system. Almost all roads in Dubai are dug up. The RTA should refrain from levying any toll until they complete the road works.
Fajer Naufel
Dubai,UAE
Posted: December 30, 2007, 10:57
This is an injustice to all the law-abiding residents of this emirate who through respect for the state, spent their hard-earned money on tolls that are now inapplicable to those who flouted the law. If the legal obligation of violators has been waived, it is then the responsibility of the esteemed RTA to credit all deducted toll funds back to the Salik accounts of the honest and hard working people of this emirate. All the Sharjah residents that took alternative routes to avoid the toll, have simply been wasting their time. The RTA must act in fairness to all honest residents as they have been sympathetic with law breakers.
Suranjith Ratnayake
Dubai,UAE
Posted: December 30, 2007, 10:21
It is a goodwill gesture no doubt. But the RTA should also waive the fee it has already collected for this period. I think people who follow the rules should be rewarded and not just those who did not follow them and were fined.
Kashif Ali Khan
Dubai,UAE
Posted: December 30, 2007, 09:31
The decision of the RTA to waive Salik fines sends the message that it is acceptable to break the laws in this country. This is a slap in the face for those of us who have purchased and renewed Salik tags.
Anita Calcraft
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: December 30, 2007, 09:10
It is an absolutely wrong move. What about those who paid the Salik toll. Should it be not reimbursed? If not it was better to break the law and save that money.
Ignatius
Dubai,UAE
Posted: December 30, 2007, 09:06
By removing fines, the RTA is really penalising the good citizens who either bought the tags on time, kept paying Salik tolls or took alternative routes on which they got caught in traffic.
Hammad
Dubai,UAE
Posted: December 30, 2007, 08:39
It is a perfectly logical decision, taking into consideration the complexity of the Salik system. I am sure those who were fined due to ignorance or the system?s failure will appreciate this gesture from the RTA.
Bernard Lobo
Dubai,UAE
Posted: December 30, 2007, 08:32
It is really a goodwill gesture on the part of the RTA to remove the fines. But spare a thought for those people who have paid for tags or Salik. If the RTA pays back their money into their respective Salik Accounts, then that would really be a fair gesture. Otherwise it means either that the people who obeyed the rules were dumb or that violation pays.
Mathew
Dubai,UAE
Posted: December 30, 2007, 08:04
