1 week Ago
Dubai: The Ministry of Interior has revealed a troubling rise in incidents involving drivers refusing to cooperate with traffic police officers across the UAE, despite pentalites . The behaviours reported include fleeing the scene, being disrespectful, ignoring official instructions, and, in some cases, even refusing to provide basic identification details. According to official statistics, there were 1,023 recorded incidents of drivers fleeing from traffic officers in 2024.
Sharjah reported the highest number, with 315 cases, followed by Dubai with 241 and Abu Dhabi with 234. Other emirates also saw such violations, including Ajman with 113, Ras Al Khaimah 83, Umm Al Quwain 21, and Fujairah with 16. Non-obedient drivers In addition to fleeing incidents, a total of 11,254 violations were recorded for drivers failing to follow police instructions.
Dubai led the list with 4,729 cases, followed by Abu Dhabi 3,722, Sharjah 1,546, Ajman 451, Ras Al Khaimah 284, Fujairah 308, and Umm Al Quwain 214. Authorities highlighted that such behaviours go beyond ordinary traffic violations. "When a driver disrespects or disobeys a traffic officer, it's not just a matter of road safety—it's a matter of public order and respect for law enforcement," a senior police official explained to Gulf News.
He explained that officers follow strict procedures when stopping vehicles, aiming to handle situations calmly and professionally. “Drivers are not allowed to leave their vehicles, and officers are trained to avoid escalating tensions,” he said. “We also take into account the diverse cultural backgrounds of drivers, as many people become nervous simply at the thought of receiving a fine.
” However, problems arise when a driver deliberately ignores or evades an officer—even when it's clearly a marked patrol vehicle and a uniformed officer. Some drivers have been reported to stop briefly before speeding off again, which could suggest they are trying to hide something more serious. What does the law say? Fleeing from a traffic officer carries an Dh800 fine, 12 black points on the driver's license, and a 30-day vehicle impoundment.
Disobeying police instructions can result in a Dh400 fine and four black points, while refusing to provide one’s name and address to an officer may lead to a Dh500 fine. The police official also clarified that certain conditions must be met for a fleeing violation to be legally enforced: the officer must be on duty, in uniform, and driving an official patrol car. Officers in private vehicles are not authorised to issue such violations, as drivers may not recognise them as legitimate law enforcement.
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