Shoot a video, get your traffic fines waived off in UAE

Do you have a traffic fine to pay in Ras Al Khaimah? No worries. You can have them cancelled by simply shooting a video!

Yes, that's right. By shooting a video to develop public traffic awareness and sharing the same on WhatsApp, you can have your fines waived.

The 'Smile & Decide' initiative has been launched by the Ras Al Khaimah Police to develop public awareness in an innovative way, curb traffic violations, and encourage drivers to observe rules and regulations.

Major General Ali Abdullah bin Alwan Al Nuaimi, Commander-in-Chief of the RAK Police, said the drivers with minor traffic violations can either pay the due fines or "film and send an awareness video via WhatsApp (0565245809)".

This number has been specified by the department of traffic and patrols, especially for the public awareness videos, he added. "These will secure valuable videos for the public that keep them in an interactive and positive communication with the law enforcement bodies concerned."

However, other members of society who are not involved in any traffic violations may also send their awareness videos to the same mobile number, Maj-Gen Nuaimi said. "All the videos to be received shall be sorted out, while the best and most effective of these shall be honoured."

All candidate videos should not be more than one minute long, and should feature the motorist himself, giving advice on good road behaviour and traffic rules and regulations to other people, he explained.

"The traffic advice included should be given to at least five people, who are five years old and over."

All videos should be submitted within a maximum 10 days from the date of being fined, he said. "The fine shall then be cancelled based on the criteria of the video filmed and shared."

Maj-Gen said the initiative is applicable to only minor traffic violations. "Dangerous violations that pose a grave risk to road users' safety shall not be considered." The whole idea is to spread the right road awareness in RAK, promote good driving behaviour and curb the number of violations.

"The RAK Police is all set to launch more initiatives to meet the national index of reducing the road accident casualties, against every 100,000 people."

ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com