How to avoid speeding fines after Abu Dhabi's new speed limit reductions
What to know about buffer rules and safe driving practices to avoid penalties
Dubai: With speed limits now reduced on some of Abu Dhabi’s major roads, motorists are being urged to adjust their driving habits to avoid unexpected fines. These changes are part of wider efforts to enhance road safety and reduce serious traffic accidents across the emirate. If you regularly commute or drive in Abu Dhabi, here’s what you need to know to stay within the legal limits and drive responsibly.
Know which roads now have lower speed limits
In April, authorities introduced new speed limits on two key highways in Abu Dhabi:
Sweihan Road (E20): The speed limit between Abu Dhabi and Sweihan has been reduced from 120 km/h to 100 km/h.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed International Road (E11): A major route connecting Abu Dhabi Industrial City to Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City now has a reduced speed limit of 140 km/h, down from 160 km/h.
These changes are part of Abu Dhabi’s ongoing road safety strategy, particularly targeting high-speed corridors where vehicle volumes are increasing.
Understand the speed buffer rules in Abu Dhabi
Unlike some other emirates in the UAE, Abu Dhabi does not apply a 20 km/h speed buffer over posted limits. This rule was removed in 2018. As a result, if the posted speed limit is 100 km/h, driving at 101 km/h or more can result in an automatic fine via speed cameras. It’s important to follow the posted limit precisely.
Watch for road signs
Be mindful of road signs indicating speed limits. In Abu Dhabi:
A blue circular sign shows the minimum speed limit.
A white circular sign shows the maximum speed limit.
Although these may be familiar to most drivers, they are worth paying closer attention to on roads where limits have recently changed.
Use navigation apps with speed alerts
Navigation apps such as Google Maps and Waze can help you stay within legal limits by displaying current speed limits and warning you when you’re going too fast. Enabling audio alerts is especially useful for avoiding fines, as these apps can also notify you when approaching speed cameras.
Avoid aggressive driving and maintain safe distance
Some drivers exceed the speed limit in order to overtake, but with reduced limits, such behaviour increases the likelihood of both fines and black points. Sudden lane changes and tailgating are not only dangerous, they are also more likely to result in enforcement action.
It is also important to remember that the faster you drive, the longer it takes to stop. Higher speeds reduce your reaction time and significantly increase braking distance, raising the risk of collisions, particularly on highways or roads with variable limits.
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