Why drivers can now get yellow cards in Abu Dhabi

Dubai: There is no room for mistakes when it comes to traffic safety.  

To ensure the safety of pupils in school area, Abu Dhabi are handing out ‘yellow cards’ to errant motorists who refuse to follow traffic regulations.  

■  School bus driver arrested for reckless driving
■  Bus driver permit withdrawn for driving recklessly

Lt Col Ahmad Khadem Al Qubaisi, head of traffic control at Abu Dhabi Police’s Traffic Department, confirmed that a number of warnings were issued to motorists and school bus drivers to make the roads safer for children.

“Motorists who broke traffic rules in front of schools, or in areas around the schools, were handed a warning or a yellow card. The yellow cards are not for serious traffic offences, and serve as a friendly reminder not to commit the traffic violation again,” said Lt Col Al Qubaisi.

Lt Col Al Qubaisi called on drivers to give way to school buses, allow pupils the right of way at zebra crossings and to not speed in school zones, otherwise, irresponsible motorists may face fines or black points.

Failure to follow the stop sign of school buses will lead to a Dh1,000 fine and 10 black points, according to the UAE’s Federal Traffic Law, which came into effect on July 1, 2017. The law also includes a fine of Dh500 and 6 black points against school bus drivers who fail to open the stop sign.

The yellow cards initiative is part of a back-to-school campaign ‘Let’s Cross’ launched by the Traffic and Patrols Directorate. The campaign is carried out in coordination with the Department of Transport, Department of Education and Knowledge (Adek), Abu Dhabi Department of Community Development. Emirates Transport and Saaed traffic system.