Dh1,000 fine if you ignore school bus stop sign
Violators will also get 10 black points, say Abu Dhabi Police
Abu Dhabi: Police on Monday warned motorists to stop when they see the stop signs of school buses or face a fine of Dh1,000 and 10 black points.
Also, school bus drivers who fail to open the stop sign while dropping off students will be slapped with a Dh500 fine and six black points.
It asked motorists to follow prescribed speed limits near schools. Police also urged parents not to allow children, who are below 10 years of age or below 145 centimetres of height, to sit in the front seats of their vehicles.
The Abu Dhabi Police ran an extensive campaign, ‘Let Us Cross’, to educate school bus drivers and other motorists about the safe driving rules to enhance safety of students and urge motorist to stop when they see the stop sign of school buses on the side of the road.
The announcement came a day after Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) announced a trial run of remote monitoring system on school buses on Sunday.
Giving authorities eyes and ears on schools buses, the system’s smart cameras, sensors and communication devices will add an extra layer of security for students on the road.
On trial since the beginning of the current academic year last month, the pilot phase covers 10 buses run by different operators. The system will automatically record three traffic offences: overtaking the school bus either side while the “stop” sign is activated, non-buckling up of seat belts by the driver or riders, and failing to leave a sufficient distance between the bus and other vehicles.