Dubai Fine Print-Fine for Everything!
I am in Dubai right now, for a short visit. This is my first visit to Dubai. Having heard of their stringent law enforcement, got to observe it first hand. In this post, I am sharing my observation about the fines imposed in Dubai for various violations. Many of you are already aware of it and other countries (like Singapore) have a similarly stringent laws. Before we talk further, let us take a quick look how much various violations cost in Dubai
Dubai fines and penalties at a glance
1. Jumping red light-
This one is no brainer and applies worldwide. Not respecting traffic light can cause major accidents, still many drivers think it is OK to drive ahead. In UAE such violations have zero tolerance and will result in hefty fine and suspension of driving license. Of course every country in the world has similar rule- you're not supposed to move when there's red light. But enforcement is very lax in developing countries.
The warning display doesn't indicate how much is the fine if someone jumps red signal but doesn't cause any accident, but I am sure it will be in several thousands.
2. Crossing the road instead of using foot over bridge.
Using Foot over bridge is a safe way to cross the road. But it involves some additional walking, climbing stairs etc (elevators are available in Dubai FOBs), thus many find it easier and quicker to just cross the road where they are. But drivers driving at high speeds won't be expecting pedestrians crossing the road when there's FOB. Sudden appearance of a person crossing the road will force driver to brake hard, often causing accidents- even a multi vehicle pile up. Thus it is not safe to cross the road at random places. But unlike red light rule which is enforced worldwide, fines for pedestrians is a bit rare, but trust Dubai authorities to track you down and penalize you if you dare to violate these rules.
3. Misuse of Emergency buttons
Trains, buses, escalators all have an emergency stop button. Pressing this will stop the system, causing inconvenience to other users and will need emergency/maintenance personnel to arrive at the scene, inspect and reset. If you abuse this feature by pressing it without a real need (emergency) be ready to shell out big fine. Even Singapore metro enforces up to 2000 SGD fine for misuse.
4. Men in women only compartments, drinking n eating inside metro
A 100 dirhams if you're caught violating these basic ethics inside metro. Fair enough.
5. Bus fines
The air conditioned bus passengers waiting area had a complete list of how much fine for various offences. Fine ranges from 100 to 2000 dirhams.. In India one can get away without paying a penny, even if they burn the entire bus. I wish to see these enforced in India asap- anyone caught damaging public property should be made to pay for it. Identifying who damaged a bus is not that difficult- CCTVs, media footage, footage by random public can help identify who caused the damage.
6. Park rules & regulations
Public parks have a few dozen rules- but fine amount was not specified. I am sure residents and authorities know them
7. Garbage segregation
In residential complexes I couldn't find multiple garbage bins- one each for plastic, glass, biodegradable waste etc. May be I didn't look hard enough. I am told there is a proper waste management process. But I didn't see any display announcing fine for non compliance . (In Copenhagen if there's a mix up waste collector will not pick the garbage till a penalty/special fee is paid)
8. Massage Card littering
This is Dubai's latest menace or nuisance. Several immigrants have resorted to this illegal massage business and to get customers spray their "business cards" on the ground in public places or on the windows of cars and so on.
Earlier those caught doing this only had to pay a small fine for littering public places. Now this is considered a more serious offense and those found guilty will be jailed if they are UAE nationals or will be deported immediately if they are from other countries.
9. Overtaking school bus when kids are getting on-
1000 AED fine if you overtake a halted school bus while children are getting on or off the bus- this is because kids may suddenly run across the street...
Apart from these, those running business in Dubai need to comply with very stringent rules w.r.t hygiene, safety etc or else face hefty fine.
The rules are there for a reason. Following them is in everyone's best interest.
These are what I could spot during my short visit. If I find more I will update the post. If you have any input/experience to add, do share.
#
|
Offence
|
Fine (AED)
|
Value in USD
|
Value in INR
|
Remarks
|
1
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Jumping Red light signal and causing accidents
|
||||
2
|
Walking across the road when there’s foot over bridge
|
||||
3
|
Misuse of emergency stops
|
||||
4
|
Entering women compartment in metro | ||||
5
|
|||||
6
|
|||||
7
|
|||||
8
|
|||||
9
|
Overtaking school bus while children are boaring
|
1000
|
273
|
18000
|
|
10
|
This one is no brainer and applies worldwide. Not respecting traffic light can cause major accidents, still many drivers think it is OK to drive ahead. In UAE such violations have zero tolerance and will result in hefty fine and suspension of driving license. Of course every country in the world has similar rule- you're not supposed to move when there's red light. But enforcement is very lax in developing countries.
The warning display doesn't indicate how much is the fine if someone jumps red signal but doesn't cause any accident, but I am sure it will be in several thousands.
2. Crossing the road instead of using foot over bridge.
Using Foot over bridge is a safe way to cross the road. But it involves some additional walking, climbing stairs etc (elevators are available in Dubai FOBs), thus many find it easier and quicker to just cross the road where they are. But drivers driving at high speeds won't be expecting pedestrians crossing the road when there's FOB. Sudden appearance of a person crossing the road will force driver to brake hard, often causing accidents- even a multi vehicle pile up. Thus it is not safe to cross the road at random places. But unlike red light rule which is enforced worldwide, fines for pedestrians is a bit rare, but trust Dubai authorities to track you down and penalize you if you dare to violate these rules.
3. Misuse of Emergency buttons
Trains, buses, escalators all have an emergency stop button. Pressing this will stop the system, causing inconvenience to other users and will need emergency/maintenance personnel to arrive at the scene, inspect and reset. If you abuse this feature by pressing it without a real need (emergency) be ready to shell out big fine. Even Singapore metro enforces up to 2000 SGD fine for misuse.
4. Men in women only compartments, drinking n eating inside metro
5. Bus fines
The air conditioned bus passengers waiting area had a complete list of how much fine for various offences. Fine ranges from 100 to 2000 dirhams.. In India one can get away without paying a penny, even if they burn the entire bus. I wish to see these enforced in India asap- anyone caught damaging public property should be made to pay for it. Identifying who damaged a bus is not that difficult- CCTVs, media footage, footage by random public can help identify who caused the damage.
6. Park rules & regulations
Public parks have a few dozen rules- but fine amount was not specified. I am sure residents and authorities know them
7. Garbage segregation
In residential complexes I couldn't find multiple garbage bins- one each for plastic, glass, biodegradable waste etc. May be I didn't look hard enough. I am told there is a proper waste management process. But I didn't see any display announcing fine for non compliance . (In Copenhagen if there's a mix up waste collector will not pick the garbage till a penalty/special fee is paid)
8. Massage Card littering
This is Dubai's latest menace or nuisance. Several immigrants have resorted to this illegal massage business and to get customers spray their "business cards" on the ground in public places or on the windows of cars and so on.
Earlier those caught doing this only had to pay a small fine for littering public places. Now this is considered a more serious offense and those found guilty will be jailed if they are UAE nationals or will be deported immediately if they are from other countries.
1000 AED fine if you overtake a halted school bus while children are getting on or off the bus- this is because kids may suddenly run across the street...
Apart from these, those running business in Dubai need to comply with very stringent rules w.r.t hygiene, safety etc or else face hefty fine.
The rules are there for a reason. Following them is in everyone's best interest.
These are what I could spot during my short visit. If I find more I will update the post. If you have any input/experience to add, do share.
Thanks a lot for the informations.
ReplyDeleteWaiting for more post from your Dubai trip.
Thanks Rupam
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