UAE: Top 5 driving rules to follow around school zones, buses

With schools across the UAE starting the current academic session this week, you must have noticed a change in traffic patterns on UAE roads. Whether you are driving in a school zone, or see a school bus on the road, here are the top traffic rules you should always keep in mind.

1. Speed limits around school zones: Speed limits in school zones are usually lower than speed limits for other areas of a city, keeping in mind the safety of children who may be crossing the road. Several areas in Dubai also have interactive speed signs, which encourage motorists to abide by the speed limits. If you do get caught by a radar while you are driving above the set limit, you can end up paying fines ranging from Dh300 to Dh3,000.

2. Not stopping for a school bus ‘stop sign’: School buses in the UAE, which can be distinguished by their yellow colour, have stop signs installed on them, which pop out from the side of the bus whenever a child is about to get off. Earlier this week, Abu Dhabi police educated motorists to come to a complete stop whenever the ‘stop’ sign is put up by the bus driver, and to keep a distance of no less than five metres to ensure safe and secure crossing of students. Violators will be fined Dh1,000 in addition to receiving 10 black points.

From last year, school buses in Abu Dhabi have also been equipped with cameras that can catch violators trying to drive past the bus while the stop sign has been put up. The requirement to stop applies to all cars, that may be behind the bus (on multiple lane roads) as well as cars coming from the opposite direction.

3. Children sitting in the front seat: If you are dropping your children off at school, you should always make sure that they are sitting in the backseat. As per the Federal Traffic laws Article 49, front seat passengers should also be at least 145cm tall and not younger than 10 years old. In Abu Dhabi, the Emirate’s traffic laws also stipulate that violators will have their cars impounded, with the need to pay Dh5,000 to have the car released.

4. No seatbelt: Even if your children are sitting in the back, you need to ensure they are safely seated. According to Ministerial Resolution No. 178 of 2017 regarding traffic control rules, children up to the age of four years are required to be in a child safety seat, while older children need to be seated in the back, with the seat belt fastened. Parents who allow children to sit in car’s rear seat without a child seat will be fined Dh400.

5. Not giving way to pedestrians: When driving around a school zone, not only do you have to ensure you stay within the speed limit, you also need to drive carefully and stop whenever you see a pedestrian waiting at a crossing. Failing to stop at a pedestrian crossing will lead to a fine of Dh500 and six black points.