Dh100,000 fine, one year jail term for drivers who flee UAE accident scenes

Abu Dhabi: The official portal of the UAE Government has highlighted on its website that the Ministry of Interior, along with police departments across the country, warns of serious consequences and strict penalties for any driver who causes a traffic accident and flees the scene.

According to the UAE Government Portal, the law imposes stringent penalties on individuals who leave the scene of an accident without notifying the relevant authorities. The law stipulates that anyone found guilty of the following violations may face imprisonment for up to one year and/or a fine ranging from Dh50,000 to Dh100,000:

The new Federal Traffic and Road Safety Law, effective from the beginning of 2025, mandates that any driver involved in a traffic accident must report the incident to the police or an authority approved by the traffic control body, using any officially approved method, within no more than three hours, unless a valid excuse exists as assessed by the traffic authority.

The upcoming executive regulations of the new law are expected to provide further clarity regarding the requirements and procedures for reporting within the first three hours after an incident. Legal experts highlight that this obligation carries not only a legal dimension but also a critical humanitarian aspect—particularly in cases involving serious injuries or fatalities, where prompt reporting could save lives and minimize the impact of the accident.

Article (28) of the same law prohibits any vehicle repair center from initiating repairs on a car showing signs of accident-related damage without first obtaining a repair authorization issued by the competent traffic enforcement authority or an authorized delegate.

The UAE Government Portal noted that the Ministry of Interior and police departments across the country have provided various digital and smart channels for reporting accidents and determining whether emergency services such as ambulances are required. The public can also call the emergency number 999 from anywhere in the UAE.

The government stressed the importance of reporting all accidents—regardless of their severity or location—and following police instructions. In the case of minor accidents, drivers are obligated to move their vehicles to the side of the road, if possible, to avoid obstructing traffic flow.

Drivers can digitally report minor road accidents using the following platforms:

In 2018, the UAE Cabinet approved a technical regulation for the ECALL Emergency Communication System in vehicles. The system is designed to reduce emergency response time by up to 40% for vehicles involved in road accidents, thereby contributing to fewer fatalities and minimizing the severity of injuries.

The ECALL system has been in effect for new vehicle models introduced in UAE markets since 2020. It is the first of its kind in the Middle East and North Africa region and the second globally after the European Union’s implementation. The system was developed in collaboration with the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA).

In the event of a collision—either with another vehicle or an object—the ECALL system automatically connects to the nearest emergency center via the driver’s mobile network. It transmits crash details using the MSD (Minimum Set of Data), which includes GPS coordinates, the time of the incident, and the vehicle’s license plate number. This allows emergency services to reach the crash site within minutes.

Under Federal Decree Law No. (14) of 2024 on the Regulation of Road Traffic, the legislator requires that the driver must report any accident to the police or approved authority within three hours, using officially designated channels—unless there is a justifiable excuse accepted by the competent authority.

This time limit is not intended as a grace period but rather a strict deadline to prevent negligence or delay. Faster reporting enables more effective emergency and law enforcement response.

Failure to report within the three-hour window, without a legitimate excuse, may result in legal consequences, including charges such as fleeing the scene, failure to report, or deliberately providing false information. These offenses are punishable by imprisonment of up to one year, a fine between Dh50,000 and Dh100,000, or both. Repeat violations may also lead to administrative penalties such as license suspension or revocation, as deemed appropriate by the authorities.

The law accounts for exceptional circumstances that may prevent a driver from reporting an accident on time. These include, but are not limited to:

However, the driver must provide supporting evidence for the delay, such as medical reports, witness statements, or phone records to validate the justification.

Legal experts note that this amendment shortens the previous reporting window from six hours to three. The goal is to enhance public safety, ensure prompt intervention by authorities, and immediately document incidents to prevent manipulation or neglect. It also seeks to reduce escape behaviour, improve cooperation, and increase the efficiency of accident management. Quick reporting enables law enforcement and emergency responders to act swiftly, reducing potential harm and property damage.