Avoid stopping in the centre of the road at all costs if you need to halt your car on a busy highway because your car is making an odd noise or you have a flat tyre. You run the risk of causing a collision involving several vehicles, as well as paying a steep fine and getting six points added to your driving record.
According to Ministerial Resolution No. 178 of 2017 on Rules and Procedures of Traffic Control, the UAE’s federal traffic law, there are numerous instances in which drivers may be penalised for stopping their vehicles. These are the specifics.
1. Stopping in the middle of the road without a justified reason
Fine: Dh1,000
Black points: Six
You and others are at risk when a car is stopped in the middle of the road. If you ever find yourself needing to stop your automobile, make sure to do so safely in the rightmost lane and locate a bay or exit where it won’t be a danger to other drivers.
Abu Dhabi Police gave some advice with motorists on what to do if their car breaks down while they are travelling on June 15, 2022, and suggested that they proceed to the next exit if they need to make an emergency stop:
- To the nearest marked emergency area, off the road. Use the right shoulder of the road to stop your car if it is absolutely necessary.
- Your hazard lights should be on.
- If a hazard sign is available, position it on the road far enough from your stranded car to alert approaching traffic. Typically, this is thought to be 60 metres behind your car.
- Don’t wait inside your car or next to it.
- Call the Police to ask for assistance.
2. Stopping in the yellow box junction
Fine: Dh500
While it’s possible that you’ve seen cars stop at a yellow crossroads when the road ahead is unclear, this infraction of the UAE’s federal traffic law is punishable by a Dh500 fine.
Drivers are cautioned not to enter until the exit is clear by the yellow box.
3. Stopping the vehicle in prohibited areas on the left shoulder of the road
Fine: Dh1,000
Drivers were given a warning by Abu Dhabi Police in 2017 that it is illegal to stop on a road’s hard shoulder because it is only meant for traffic enforcement and emergency vehicles.
4. Stopping the vehicle on pedestrian crossings
Fine: Dh500
Black points: Six
Police authorities in the UAE have regularly advised drivers to slow down when driving through residential and commercial areas and to stop at pedestrian crossings to give way to pedestrians.
Additionally, pedestrians are cautioned to cross the street only at approved locations and when the signal turns red.
5. Stopping a vehicle in a way that endangers pedestrians
Fine: Dh400
There are two provisions concerning unlawfully stopping a vehicle and endangering pedestrians in the Federal Traffic Law:
- A) Stopping a vehicle in a way that blocks the pedestrians’ movement.
- B) Stopping a vehicle in a way that exposes danger to pedestrians.
The Traffic and Patrols Directorate of the Abu Dhabi Police published a video in September 2022 showing drivers failing to yield to pedestrians. The video was taken from surveillance footage and showed cars moving before a person could cross the street safely.
According to Abu Dhabi Police, vehicles are required to slow down at zebra crossings so that pedestrians can walk across safely. Pedestrians must be given priority at zebra crossings, whether they are in commercial districts, school zones, or residential neighbourhoods.
Also Read: You can get fined for these 5 violations inside your vehicle in the UAE
