Red light violation in UAE: Dh50,000 Fine, 12 black points and vehicle impoundment
Breaking a red light costs more than a fine. Discover the full penalties you may face.
Dubai: Jumping a red light is one of the most dangerous traffic violations in the UAE and carries severe penalties across all emirates. Drivers who run a red light not only put lives at risk but also face heavy fines, black points, and potential vehicle impoundment. Here's everything you need to know about the consequences of this offence and the traffic laws that apply.
UAE Traffic Law on red light violations
Under the Federal Traffic Law in the UAE, the penalty for jumping a red light is:
Dh1,000 fine
12 black points on your driving licence
Vehicle impoundment for 30 days
However, individual emirates have the authority to impose stricter penalties depending on the severity of the violation and the local traffic regulations.
Dh50,000 fine to release vehicle in Dubai
Red light penalties and vehicle impoundment in Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi enforces Law No. 5 of 2020 regarding vehicle impoundment. Under this law:
Dh50,000 fine is required to release a vehicle impounded for jumping a red light or committing other serious violations.
The vehicle may remain in impound for up to three months or until the fine is paid.
If not claimed within three months, the car may be auctioned publicly.
Reasons a car can be impounded under this law include:
Jumping a red light
Reckless driving
Obscured or altered licence plates
Participation in illegal street racing
Deliberate collision with a police vehicle
Using a mobile phone while driving can lead to red light violations
Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of motorists jumping red lights. The use of mobile phones while driving reduces reaction times and increases the risk of missing traffic signals .
A minimum Dh400 fine and four black points for mobile phone use while driving in the UAE. In Dubai, this violation may also lead to vehicle impoundment for 30 days. Even hands-free phone use can reduce a driver’s reaction time by up to 35 per cent, according to Abu Dhabi Police.
Fatal accidents caused by red light violations carry harsher penalties
If jumping a red light results in a fatal road accident, the penalties become significantly more severe under Article 40 of the UAE traffic law:
Imprisonment and a fine of at least Dh50,000, or one of the two penalties
The fine can increase to Dh100,000 and/or up to one year in jail under certain conditions, including:
Jumping a red light
Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
Driving with a suspended or cancelled licence
Driving through flooded valleys (wadis)
Safety rules to follow at traffic intersections
To prevent accidents and avoid fines, the UAE’s Ministry of Interior recommends the following best practices at intersections:
What to do:
Anticipate signal changes when nearing intersections
Stop safely at amber lights before they turn red
Watch for sudden braking from other vehicles
Monitor both traffic and signal lights in congested areas
What not to do:
Do not speed up at amber signals to beat the red light
Avoid distractions like mobile phone use near intersections
Pedestrians should not cross at red pedestrian signals
This article was published on December 11, 2024 and has been updated since.
Dubai: Jumping a red light is one of the most dangerous traffic violations in the UAE and carries severe penalties across all emirates. Drivers who run a red light not only put lives at risk but also face heavy fines, black points, and potential vehicle impoundment. Here's everything you need to know about the consequences of this offence and the traffic laws that apply.
UAE Traffic Law on red light violations
Under the Federal Traffic Law in the UAE, the penalty for jumping a red light is:
Dh1,000 fine
12 black points on your driving licence
Vehicle impoundment for 30 days
However, individual emirates have the authority to impose stricter penalties depending on the severity of the violation and the local traffic regulations.
Dh50,000 fine to release vehicle in Dubai
Red light penalties and vehicle impoundment in Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi enforces Law No. 5 of 2020 regarding vehicle impoundment. Under this law:
Dh50,000 fine is required to release a vehicle impounded for jumping a red light or committing other serious violations.
The vehicle may remain in impound for up to three months or until the fine is paid.
If not claimed within three months, the car may be auctioned publicly.
Reasons a car can be impounded under this law include:
Jumping a red light
Reckless driving
Obscured or altered licence plates
Participation in illegal street racing
Deliberate collision with a police vehicle
Using a mobile phone while driving can lead to red light violations
Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of motorists jumping red lights. The use of mobile phones while driving reduces reaction times and increases the risk of missing traffic signals .
A minimum Dh400 fine and four black points for mobile phone use while driving in the UAE. In Dubai, this violation may also lead to vehicle impoundment for 30 days. Even hands-free phone use can reduce a driver’s reaction time by up to 35 per cent, according to Abu Dhabi Police.
Fatal accidents caused by red light violations carry harsher penalties
If jumping a red light results in a fatal road accident, the penalties become significantly more severe under Article 40 of the UAE traffic law:
Imprisonment and a fine of at least Dh50,000, or one of the two penalties
The fine can increase to Dh100,000 and/or up to one year in jail under certain conditions, including:
Jumping a red light
Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
Driving with a suspended or cancelled licence
Driving through flooded valleys (wadis)
Safety rules to follow at traffic intersections
To prevent accidents and avoid fines, the UAE’s Ministry of Interior recommends the following best practices at intersections:
What to do:
Anticipate signal changes when nearing intersections
Stop safely at amber lights before they turn red
Watch for sudden braking from other vehicles
Monitor both traffic and signal lights in congested areas
What not to do:
Do not speed up at amber signals to beat the red light
Avoid distractions like mobile phone use near intersections
Pedestrians should not cross at red pedestrian signals
This article was published on December 11, 2024 and has been updated since.
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