Abu Dhabi drivers face new penalties for non-use of seatbelt, children in the front

Abu Dhabi Police has announced hefty new fines for traffic offences including failure to wear a seatbelt, allowing children to sit in the front seat and crowding during accidents as part of efforts to improve road safety.

The authority said new amended regulation implemented on July 1 will mean drivers face a fine Dhs400 and four traffic points if they or a passenger are found not wearing a seatbelt.

Motorists who ignore traffic lights will be fined Dhs1,000, 12 traffic points and have their vehicle seized for a month, while those fond crowding during accidents will receive a Dhs1,000 fine and six traffic points.

Those found illegally transporting passengers will face a Dhs3,000 fine and 24 traffic points and use of three-wheeled motorcycles on the road will result in a Dhs3,000 fine and a 90-day vehicle seizure.

Other amendments include the allowance of 50 per cent tinting on car windows with the exception of the front windscreen.

Drivers must also provide child seats for children aged less than four years and will face a Dhs400 fine if they allow children aged under 10 and below 145cm in height to sit in the front.

In addition, motorists who fail to claim their vehicle at the end of a seizure period will face a Dhs50 daily fine to a maximum of Dhs3,000.

Other articles related to reckless driving will also be introduced including Dhs800 and four traffic points for using a mobile phone while at the wheel and Dhs400 and four points for tailgating.

Brigadier Ali Khalfan Al Dhaheri, director general of central operations at Abu Dhabi Police called on drivers to follow the rules and said they would be highlighted via social media and publications in the Marina Commercial Centre.

Drivers will be given the opportunity to correct their driving before the new amendments are implemented through an initiative to cancel violations with the exception of dangerous behaviour like reckless driving, exceeding the speed limit, running red lights and driving under the influence of alcohol.

Recent figures from Abu Dhabi showed there were 73 of tailgating accidents in the first four months of the year.

Read: Tailgating accidents cause eight deaths in Abu Dhabi