Dubai: Vehicles of drivers involved in minor traffic offences will no longer be impounded.
His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has ordered authorities concerned to exempt drivers who have committed minor traffic offences from vehicle impoundment, provided they do not have a history of major traffic violations.
Shaikh Mohammad also ordered the release of vehicles that have completed half of the impoundment period.
Commander-In-Chief of Dubai Police Major General Abdullah Khalifa Al Merri praised Shaikh Mohammad’s gesture, which is in keeping with the spirit of the Year of Giving announced by President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
The move also aims to encourage drivers to maintain a clean driving record and give them a fresh opportunity to abide by traffic laws.
Al Merri said that eligible drivers will be able to benefit immediately from the new orders. He called on drivers to be more vigilant on the road to avoid accidents. He also stressed on the importance of respecting traffic rules.
The Commander-in-Chief of Dubai Police also said that vehicle impoundment is a penalty aimed at preventing dangerous driving. He said reckless driving, racing on the road, and jumping red light are dangerous offences that do not fall under the purview of the new order.
When a car is impounded:
Whether it be street racing, driving with an expired license, or accumulating an overwhelming amount of traffic fines — any one of these traffic offences can get your car impounded.
Earlier, the traffic violators who have their cars impounded now have the option to bail them out, according to a traffic police official.
By paying Dh100 for each day of confiscation, motorists can release their car from the Confiscated Cars Section
Most vehicles are confiscated for traffic violations, especially jumping the red light, which entails a weeklong confiscation. More serious violations require up to three months in the police yard.
