New tailgating fines in Abu Dhabi
The police department in the capital city has announced new tailgating fines in Abu Dhabi that have been effective from January 15, 2020. The Abu Dhabi Police has installed smart sensor radars across the emirate to monitor tailgating violations in the city. These radars are responsible for determining the distance between two cars and identifying tailgating offences by motorists in Abu Dhabi without the intervention of the traffic police.
TAILGATING IN ABU DHABI
Tailgating violations occur when drivers do not maintain enough safe distance between their car and the one in front of them. According to the head of traffic studies and research at Abu Dhabi Police, Captain Mohammed Al Eisaei, tailgating in Abu Dhabi was one of the biggest reasons for fatal road accidents reported in 2018 and 2019.
Surveys reveal that most tailgating violations occur mainly because of
- Slow drivers in the fast lane
- People running late
- Lack of awareness of traffic rules in Abu Dhabi
The new tailgating fines in Abu Dhabi are aimed at promoting good driving practices on the road and protecting drivers and passengers from road accidents that may prove fatal. Motorists in Abu Dhabi are advised to maintain the recommended safe distance between vehicles to avoid tailgating fines.
WHAT IS THE SAFE FOLLOWING DISTANCE IN ABU DHABI?
Drivers are expected to keep a safe distance between cars to avoid the new tailgating fines in Abu Dhabi. But what is this recommended safe distance? Captain Al Eisaei says,
“A safe following distance behind any vehicle is generally known as the two-second-rule; the rule is that a driver should ideally stay at least two seconds behind any vehicle that is directly in front of his or her vehicle.”
When driving in bad conditions, this distance should be doubled to avoid tragic consequences. The 2-second rule gives the driver enough room to accommodate sudden manoeuvres or unexpected situations. It keeps them and other motorists safe.
Any driver that does not follow this rule will be liable for tailgating fines in Abu Dhabi, which is also subject to black points. Remember, the lack of awareness of traffic rules and traffic fines in Abu Dhabi is not an excuse.
THE NEW TAILGATING FINE IN ABU DHABI
According to Ministerial Resolution No. 178 of 2017 and according to item No. 52 in the schedule of violations, fines and traffic points, a driver found guilty of the practice will be subject to a penalty for tailgating.
- AED 400 fine
- 4 black points
It is important to point out here that the smart sensor radars will only register tailgating offences against impatient and aggressive drivers. If someone is tailgating you, make sure:
- You are driving on the right speed (not too slow) and in the correct lane
- You don’t speed off; instead, ease off the accelerator and move into the other lane (where possible)
The new tailgating fines in Abu Dhabi will not be immediately booked against the offender. The Abu Dhabi Police will first send a warning text message to the motorists caught tailgating. If the motorists is caught tailgating after that, they will be penalised. There were 178 motorists fined for tailgating in Abu Dhabi between January 15 and January 19, 2020. You can check Abu Dhabi traffic fine inquiry to know if you were penalised or not.
To sum it up, habitual tailgaters in Abu Dhabi should have their guards up. The heavy penalty is now applied to all motorists in the capital city. In addition to that, people new to the country must get a good understanding of all the traffic signs in the UAE, before they set out on the roads.
Considering getting behind the wheel in Abu Dhabi? Our comprehensive guide dives into everything you need to know about Abu Dhabi driving licence fees, ensuring a smooth and informed journey towards hitting the road.
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