Over 4,000 UAE motorists fined for ignoring 'stop' arm on school buses

Dubai - Drivers who ignore the stop signs will face a fine of Dh1,000 and 10 black points.

At least 4,393 motorists were fined in the UAE last year for ignoring the "stop sign" on school buses, the Ministry of Interior (MoI) has revealed.
Drivers ignoring the sign are increasing the possibility of knocking down students while being picked up or dropped off by school buses, said the traffic authorities.
Stop arms automatically extend out of the bus and motorists are required to wait until the child is safely out of the way. As per the law, drivers are required to stop at least five metres away from the bus.
Vehicles overtaking stopped school buses remains a continuous problem, according to many residents, who have witnessed children almost getting run over by impatient motorists.
A total of 3,664 motorists were fined in Abu Dhabi for ignoring the stop signs on school buses during the 2018-19 academic year. Last September, the Abu Dhabi Police announced the installation of cameras on school buses to catch motorists ignoring the signs.
Meanwhile, traffic authorities in the country have also fined 256 school bus drivers last year for not displaying the stop signs on their vehicles while picking up or dropping off students. The penalty for not displaying the stop signs on a school bus is Dh500 and six black points.
Police across the UAE have been carrying out awareness campaigns to explain how and why the sign is used. A survey conducted by the Abu Dhabi Police, through their social media handles, showed that 76 per cent of road users in the emirate were aware of the stop sign on school buses and the fines resulting from ignoring it.
Stop sign on school buses

School bus drivers are meant to deploy the stop signs on the sides of their vehicles when they pick up or pupils or let them disembark. It indicates that motorists must wait until children are out of the way.

Drivers who ignore the stop signs or stop at a distance of less than five metres from the bus will face a fine of Dh1,000 and 10 black points on their driving licences.

Motorists in both directions must stop on a two-way road when the sign has been displayed, at a distance of at least five metres away from the school bus.

ismail@khaleejtimes.com


 
 

• Abu Dhabi