Pay traffic fines early and avail up to 50% discount

Ras Al Khaimah - Only drivers caught by RAK radars will be eligible for the discount. "The fine cut spans only speeding violations caught by the fixed or portable radars on the emirates' internal roads and highways."

Want to pay less on your traffic fines in Ras Al Khaimah? Then, the sooner you pay them, the better.
The Ras Al Khaimah Police have introduced a new system to encourage erring drivers to pay fines as early as possible.

As per the new scheme, a driver shall be entitled to a 50 per cent discount on radar-based fines if he pays them within 50 days of committing the traffic violation, according to an official source.

"Should the driver pay the fine on the 51st day of being caught by any of the fixed or mobile speed cameras on the roads and highways of the northern emirate, he or she will be entitled to a lesser discount, or exactly 30 per cent."

The later the payment is made, the less the discount the driver gets, or even none, he pointed out. "There is also a time limit to enjoy the 30 per cent discount, which is from the 51st day to the 80th day of being booked." Failing to pay the fine before the 81st day means that the erring driver caught by any of the radars here shall be entitled to no discount at all, he underlined. "The move will make drivers more alert and observant to traffic regulations."

However, only drivers caught by RAK radars will be eligible for the discount. "The fine cut spans only speeding violations caught by the fixed or portable radars on the emirates' internal roads and highways."

All the fines imposed due to other traffic violations, particularly those posing a risk to road users' life and end in impoundment are excluded, he clarified. "Driving at more than 160km/ph, jumping red signal, racing and over-tinting of car windows are not included in the 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 licence.

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.

The fine cut has been integrated into 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."
Hailing the new fine system, Sherif Al Wakeel, Egyptian, said he is a daily driver on RAK roads, and the scheme would quite save his budget. "However, it will make me more alert about my speed."

Ahmed Jameel, a Syrian, said the new fine system is a valuable addition to the traffic system here in Ras Al Khaimah. "It will hopefully encourage drivers to be more careful about their speed."

Disagreeing, Saeed Salem, Emirati, said the new fine system will encourage drivers to drive faster. "The fine has become less deterring and easier to pay, and do the same violation again."

ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com

• Ras Al Khaimah