Dubai Police have announced a significant update to vehicle impounding rules, with a 30-day impoundment for drivers caught using mobile phones, tailgating, or suddenly deviating while driving. These new penalties aim to enhance road safety and enforcement, particularly for distracted driving, which is a major cause of accidents in the emirate.
According to the amended rules under Decree No. 29 of 2015, using mobile phones while driving or being distracted by devices is now clearly defined as an offense. Sudden deviations that endanger lives or property, as well as failing to leave a safe distance from the vehicle in front, will also result in the same 30-day vehicle impoundment.
These amendments are part of broader efforts to enforce stricter penalties for reckless driving. Along with the impoundment, the federal traffic law imposes fines ranging from Dh400 to Dh1,000 and four black points on the driver’s license for these offenses. However, Dubai has now introduced this additional 30-day impoundment period as a further deterrent.
The same penalty applies to heavy vehicles that fail to follow lane discipline, emphasizing Dubai Police’s focus on promoting safe driving practices across all types of vehicles.
Other violations have also been updated with a 14-day impoundment period. Offenses such as reversing dangerously, lane indiscipline, stopping without reason in the middle of the road, dangerous overtaking, and lacking necessary safety measures in the vehicle will all incur the impoundment. These rules also apply to illegal overtaking from the shoulder, driving without a license plate, and altering vehicle colors without permission.
The city had already introduced tough measures last year, including a Dh50,000 fee for releasing seized vehicles involved in serious traffic violations, underscoring Dubai's commitment to road safety.
Stay tuned to carprices.ae more information on the UAE's traffic rules and regulations.
