Not fine: Lesser-known violations costing residents

Dubai: Applying make-up on the go? Expect to pay a Dh1,000 fine in Dubai, where rules are strict against distracting practices while driving.

However, the rule against applying make-up (introduced in April) is one among a litany of violations many residents are unaware of.

What seem like harmless habits to them are actually strict taboos, such as dozing off in Dubai Metro passenger shelters or hanging laundry in the balcony.

There are other violations that attract heavy fines but are taken lightly, such as parking a vehicle in fire hydrant places, which will cost offenders Dh1,000, plus four black points on their driver’s licence.

Meanwhile, “using interior lights for no reason while driving” your car is bookable by Dh100. And if you open the left door of a taxi, you could be slapped with a Dh100 ticket.

Government departments such as Dubai Municipality, Dubai Police and the Roads and Transport Authority do list the violations on their websites, social media accounts and onsite, but many residents apparently fail to read all of them, or they turn a blind eye.

Others assume their actions are trivial and not worthy of official scrutiny. But they are often caught by surprise, such as when taking fish on the metro.

“Why did they put a metro station [in Palm Deira] bang at the fish market if fish aren’t allowed on the Metro? I’m annoyed. I came here by Metro and want to buy fish but how do I take the fish back with me?” an Indian fish lover complained.

“How many people chuck the chewing gum from their mouth before hopping onto the metro? Many riders are not even aware there is a [Dh100] fine for that,” added Pakistani expat Z.H., 37.

British expat Mohammad Omar, 40, said: “I had no idea you couldn’t put up your feet up on the seat on public transport. Yes, it can be a bit rude but I think first-time violators should be let off with a warning. You do things subconsciously sometimes. It’s a good idea to first have enough awareness on what’s a no-no.”

Many of the violations are in place for safety reasons, such as prohibiting a child under 10 from riding in the car’s front seat, which attracts a Dh400 fine and four black points. Some people take the issue lightly, especially since traffic rules back home may not address the same points.

Other rules are based on health and hygiene, such as defacing public property by spitting out chewing tobacco, the fine for which has been doubled to Dh1,000 now to deter the practice, which is still widespread in some areas.

Gulf News compiled a list of violations that many people are likely to overlook.

Lesser-known offences and fines

Traffic

Eating, drinking, applying make-up or reading the paper while driving: Dh1,000

Driving a noisy vehicle: Dh500

Stopping on the road for no reason: Dh500; four black points

Not giving pedestrians way at pedestrian crossings: Dh500; six black points

Leaving a vehicle on the road with its engine running: Dh300

Writing phrases or placing stickers on vehicle without permission: Dh200

Using interior lights for no reason while driving: Dh100

Pedestrians crossing from undesignated places: Dh200

Using horn in a disturbing way: Dh100

Opening left door of taxi: Dh100

Dubai Metro

Sleeping in passenger shelters or any place where sleeping is prohibited: Dh300

Using a card designated for others: Dh200

Putting feet on seats: Dh100

Bringing animals on board (except guide dogs for blind persons): Dh100

Civic fines

Sticking notices, posters, ads or flyers without permission: Dh1,000

Spitting paan [chewing tobacco] in public places: Dh1,000

Setting fire to waste to dispose of it: Dh1,000

Littering branches or parts of trees in undesignated places: Dh1,000

Hanging clothes in balconies: Dh500