All about the new Smart Gate in Abu Dhabi
As of March 8th, 2020, new smart gates have been activated on the Abu Dhabi – Al Ain highway to track traffic violations and adverse weather conditions. Here is all that you need to know about the smart gates on the Abu Dhabi – Al Ain Road.
Where is the New Smart Gate Located?
The first smart gate has been activated on the Abu Dhabi – Al Ain Road. Being one of the busiest roads in the UAE, the highway is prone to accidents in rough weather conditions. And this is why it has been equipped with radars and sensors to safeguard public safety.
What does the New Smart Gate Do?
The smart gate is linked to the Abu Dhabi police control room and displays real-time alerts during fog, heavy rain and other turbulent conditions. It also monitors traffic violations such as speeding, tailgating and even driving vehicles with expired registration.
Those driving with an expired registration will face fines of AED 500. Additional penalties include four black points and impounding of the vehicle for seven days. This is in accordance with Article 25 of local traffic law.
Other violations that the smart gate will monitor include the use of unauthorised heavy vehicles, not maintaining the required ‘safety’ distance, stopping on the shoulder of the road, parking on the right side as well as blocking traffic.
Purpose of the New Smart Gate
With the introduction of the smart gate, Abu Dhabi Police aims to increase road safety in the emirate. They strongly advise commuters to adhere to the speed shown on the screen and leave a sufficient safety distance from other vehicles. Not only will the smart gate transmit messages to motorists during volatile weather conditions, but alerts will be broadcasted by the Abu Dhabi Police on radio stations and social media.
In an online message, the police said: ‘Smart gates [aim] to reduce traffic accidents and enhance traffic safety for drivers and road users.’
They also recommend that vehicle owners with an expired license plate should immediately apply for car registration renewal in Abu Dhabi.
Tail Gating and Other Road Dangers
According to the Abu Dhabi Police, tailgating is one of the leading causes of road deaths in the UAE. In fact, according to a recent study, tailgating and reckless driving by young drivers caused 50% of all traffic accidents between 2012 and 2017.
That is why this sophisticated smart system is necessary. In January 2020, the police announced that there will be new cameras in the city that will specifically monitor tailgating. They also launched an awareness campaign about the dangers of tailgating in five languages.
With the introduction of the new smart gate in Abu Dhabi, identifying and disciplining careless drivers will become easier and promote safety on the roads in the emirate.
The new tailgating fine in Abu Dhabi is AED 400 plus four black points.
Efforts were being made as early as 2015 to introduce smart technology in the capital city to detect tailgaters and other traffic offenders. In addition to the new smart gate initiative, the Vitronic radar is already in place across the country.
Sometimes it is difficult for commuters to maintain exact distance specified by the radar from the vehicle ahead of them. That is why authorities suggest that drivers on a highway should maintain the space of two lampposts between vehicles to create a safe distance.
As smart gates are introduced and drivers are further educated on safe distances and other traffic rules, it will vastly improve road safety in the emirate.
If you are new to the emirate, you can also learn how to check traffic fines in Abu Dhabi to know if you are a penalised or not. If you are new to the emirate, you can also read all about traffic signs in Abu Dhabi to stay safe on the road and avoid any penalties.
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