Across the UAE, at traffic signals and on roads, speed-detecting radars equipped with the latest technology are positioned to detect speeding vehicles.
A traffic signal can detect if you are jumping a red light, taking a wrong turn, making an illegal U-turn, overspeeding, or breaking the yellow box. Another radar catches overspeeding cars. Highway radars capture photos, while signals capture videos.
The country has radars that detect and penalize tailgating, seat belt violations, drinking and eating while driving, and using a cell phone while driving.
We have listed some traffic violations and fines associated with those violations below:
Speeding
This is one of the most common traffic offenses detected by radar installed on the country's highways and roads.
Apart from Abu Dhabi, all emirates have radars set at 20 km/h above the local speed limit. If a motorist travels at more than 121 km/h on a 100 km/h road, the radar will register a violation. Abu Dhabi eliminated its speed buffer system in 2018.
Traffic fines for speeding: Depending on how fast the motorist exceeds the speed limit, fines range from AED 300 to AED 3,000.
Vehicles whose registration has expired
Recently, on Masafi Road, a radar was activated to detect a vehicle with an expired registration document.
Traffic fine for Vehicles with expired registration in UAE: AED 500 and 4 black points. If the registration expired over three months ago, the vehicle will be seized for seven days.
Noisy vehicles Fines
The Sharjah Police have a radar that detects vehicles that produce disturbing sounds. Solar-powered, this radar alerts the police when more than one vehicle makes noise on the same road, which indicates racing.
In order to increase their vehicle's speed, some motorists modify their vehicles illegally. A vehicle like this makes panic-inducing noises that are intimidating.
Traffic fine for Noisy vehicles in UAE: AED 2,000 and 12 black points are imposed on vehicles that emit sounds louder than 95 decibels.
Tailgating
A few radar systems in the country detect and penalize tailgating. To detect traffic violations, Umm Al Quwain Police activated radars last year. A similar smart system had earlier been implemented by the Abu Dhabi Police.
Traffic fines for tailgating in UAE: 4 black points and an AED 400 fine for failing to leave a safe distance from the vehicle in front.
Seat belt violations and using a phone while driving
Motorists who do not fasten their seat belts or use their mobile phones while driving will be detected by an automated system operated by the Abu Dhabi Police. Through artificial intelligence-powered cameras, the system captures high-resolution images.
Traffic fines for seat belt violations in UAE: AED 400 and 4 black points.
Traffic fine for using a cell phone while driving: AED 800 and 4 black points.
Traffic signal radars
Radars are installed at signalized intersections to detect cars speeding, jumping red lights, making wrong turns, and making U-turns from forbidden areas.
Traffic fine for jumping a red light in UAE: AED 1,000 fine, 12 black points, and 30-day vehicle impoundment.
Pedestrian crossing violations
Police in Abu Dhabi activated radars in April 2022 to catch motorists who failed to stop at pedestrian crossings.
Traffic fine for pedestrian crossing violations in UAE: AED 500 and 6 black points for not giving way to pedestrians.
A sudden change in lane
On various roads in Abu Dhabi, radar systems were activated to detect swerving and sudden lane changes.
Traffic fine for abruptly changing lanes or not using indicators in UAE: AED 400.
Radars on school buses
In Abu Dhabi, school buses are equipped with radars that detect motorists who ignore the 'stop' signs. It is an automatic process, the police said earlier.
Traffic fine imposed for failing to stop for the left-mounted school bus sign in UAE: AED 1,000 fine and 10 traffic points.