RAK Police announce 50 per cent discount on speeding fines

Driving at more than 160km per hour, jumping red signal, racing, over tinting car windows, and alike, are not included in the discount.

Supplied photo

Ras Al Khaimah – And finally good news for drivers with pending fines here. The RAK Police has announced a 50 per cent discount on the traffic fines incurred on the roads of the northern emirate. 

The five-month drop, in pursuance of the directives of His Highness Shaikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, is to take effect from Wednesday, July 1 to December 1. 

Brigadier Ghanim Ahmed Ghanim, Director General of the Central Operations, RAK Police, said only the fines caught by the RAK traffic police on the emirate roads would be eligible for the discount. 

“The 50 per cent cut on pending spans unpaid fines for only speeding violations caught by the fixed or portable radars on the emirates’ internal roads and highways.” 

Brig Ghanim noted that all fines imposed due to other traffic violations, particularly those that pose a risk to roader users’ life and end in impoundment. “Driving at more than 160km per hour, jumping red signal, racing, over tinting car windows, and alike, are not included in the discount.”  

Adding, he said the move is meant to cut the financial burdens on erring drivers, and encourage them to pay pending fines, yet be more cautious on the road. “The move is also aimed to help motorists renew their expired registration cards.” 

Now, no more cuts shall be available for errant drivers, he warned. “By the end of the three-month discount period, erring drivers shall have to pay the fine in full without any discount.” 

As per a tougher unified traffic law with higher fines and a black points system enacted in 2008 all over the UAE, erring motorists are penalised with up to 24 black points, following which they lose their driving license. 

Driving callously costs erring driver Dh2,000, 12 black points, as well as the impoundment of the vehicle for 30 days. Not carrying a driving licence or using a horn in a disturbing way draws a fine of Dh100. 

Brig Ghanim said the RAK Traffic Police have recently launched an intensive campaign to monitor traffic flow to curb reckless driving. “More traffic patrols are deployed on the roads of the emirate to ensure road users’ safety, particularly with the advent of the new academic year.” 

The fine cut has been integrated in the unified federal traffic system across the country, he stated. “As such erring drivers can pay their fines at any traffic department in all emirates of the country.” 

Brig Ghanim urged all members of the society to put an end to traffic accidents and observe set rules and regulations, particularly the speed limit on all internal roads and highways.

ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com