UAQ motorists to get 50% off on fines

Come October 14 and all traffic fines incurred on the Umm Al Quwain roads will be cut by half. Lt-Col Saeed Obaid bin Aran, Director of Traffic and Patrols Department at UAQ Police, on Thursday said the grace period will be valid till December 6.

“Only the erring drivers caught on the emirate’s roads shall be liable to the discount on fines in commemoration of the 41^st National Day of the UAE.”

“The 50 per cent discount can be availed on unpaid fines for speeding and other traffic violations, yet they must be paid at the Traffic and Patrols Department of Umm Al Quwain,” he added.

He said that the only exception to this discount is impoundment. “Erring motorists need to appear in person at the Traffic department and hand over their vehicles for impoundment or pay the set fine.”

Lt-Col bin Aran said the move is aimed at reducing the financial burdens on delinquent drivers, encouraging motorists to pay pending fines, and at the same time reminding them to be more cautious on roads. “The move also seeks to help motorists renew their expired registration cards.”

The UAQ Traffic department, in October 2011, ordered a 25 per cent discount on the traffic fines recorded in the emirate. The drop was raised to 50 per cent on November 27 till December 27 last year.

“The decision encouraged many motorists to renew their expired registration cards, and settle their accumulated fines.”

Tougher unified traffic laws with higher fines and a black points system have been introduced in the UAE since 2008. Under these, erring motorists penalised with 24 black points were to lose their driving licence, driving callously would attract a fine of Dh2,000, 12 black points, as well as impoundment of the vehicle for 30 days. Also, driving without your licence or honking unnecessarily draws a fine of Dh100.

Meanwhile, the UAQ Traffic Police have fined several motorists for using mobile phones while driving as part of a campaign to curb this kind of dangerous driving. “As per article 135 of the traffic law, using the phone while driving draws a fine of Dh200 and four black points,” Lt-Col Bin Aran said.

ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com