Dubai: Dubai Traffic Public Prosecution (TPP) has launched a new e-service enabling convicts, who are fined by the traffic court, to pay their fines via smart phones.

The smart payment method entitles convicts, who face fines imposed on them by judgements delivered by the Dubai Traffic Misdemeanours Court, can start paying their fines from anywhere in the world, according to Senior Chief Traffic Prosecutor Salah Bu Farousha, TPP’s Head.

“This newly-launched initiative is the first of its kind in the region. It is available on Dubai Public Prosecution’s app [Smart Prosecution] in Arabic and English languages. Any defendant, who is convicted and fined upon a traffic court ruling, would be able to pay fines varying between Dh1,000 and Dh30,000, and even blood money [Dh200,000] could be paid,” Bu Farousha told Gulf News on Saturday.

The new smart payment method was launched during Essam Eisa Al Humaidan’s, Dubai Attorney General’s recent visit to TPP’s headquarters in Al Ghusais.

Bu Farousha gave an electronic presentation in which he briefed Al Humaidan and Khalifa Rashid Bin Deemas, Senior Prosecutor General, about the functionality and efficiency of the new service.

When asked what benefits this initiative brings upon TPP’s clients, Bu Farousha explained: “This smart payment will make the payment of fines swifter and easier and particularly to convicts sentenced in absentia. Supposedly a defendant was tried and sentenced in absentia by the traffic court, and then this new initiative enables the convict to pay the fine by the tip of his finger. All he/she has to do is visit Smart Prosecution, click on payment and provide his credit card details. The fine would be paid, and then he/she will receive an email notification that the ruling has been executed.”

Praising the initiative that also allows convicts to pay their fines via Dubai Public Prosecution’s website (www.dxbpp.gov.ae), Al Humaidan said: “This smart payment initiative falls within the guidance and directives of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the UAE Vice-President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai. We constantly tend to cater top-class smart services to our clients and provide them with the best judicial practices.”

Meanwhile when asked why the smart payment was launched, Bu Farousha told Gulf News: “This is considered the first phase of smart services to be launched… a second phase will follow soon [without giving further details]. Having handled nearly 13,000 traffic cases since 2013, TPP launched this initiative for a better and swifter justice and because it brings in more proficiency and competence.”