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Motorists' alert: Three days left for new UAE speed limit

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The 20kmph speed buffer will be abolished on Abu Dhabi roads from August 12.

The 20kmph speed buffer will be abolished on Abu Dhabi roads from August 12.

Abu Dhabi - Motorists can no longer enjoy the buffer from August 12 onwards.

Published: Fri 10 Aug 2018, 12:04 AM

Updated: Wed 14 Aug 2024, 11:01 AM

  • By
  • Jasmine Al Kuttab

Beginning August 12, motorists crossing the set speed limits on Abu Dhabi roads, even by 1kmph, will be fined for speeding as the Abu Dhabi Police have decided to abolish 20kmph speed limit buffer.

The General Directorate of Abu Dhabi Police announced earlier hat the speed limit on the roads will be revised and motorists can no longer enjoy the buffer from August 12 onwards. Speed limits on highways and internal roads will be increased by the buffer margin from this date.

Major-General Mohammed Khalfan Al Romaithi, Commander-in-Chief of the Abu Dhabi Police and a member of the Executive Council, said that the decision to amend the speed limit on the roads was taken after several scientific studies.

Earlier this month, the Abu Dhabi Police hinted at plans to abolish the speed limit buffer on certain roads in the Capital.

Currently, most roads in the Capital have a buffer that allows motorists to travel 20kmph faster than what is advertised as the speed limit, without being penalised or fined.

An Abu Dhabi Police official told Khaleej Times that enhancing road safety and security and reducing the number of road accidents, injuries and fatalities is a priority for the authorities.

"The Abu Dhabi Police will continue to do what we can to ensure the safety of all road users in the Capital. We urge all motorists to be cautious on the roads, to drive safely, watch their speed limit, ensure they and their passengers are buckled up, not to use their mobile phones while driving, to keep a safe distance between vehicles and to abide by other road rules," the official said.

In January, the Abu Dhabi Police revealed that motorists in the emirate were slapped with 4.6 million traffic fines in 2017, with a majority being related to speeding.

Speeding topped the list of traffic violations which comprised 79.8 per cent of the total fines.

The police announced that speeding tickets reached 3.8 million last year, whereas in 2016, speeding tickets reached 3.7 million. However, officials have not yet revealed the total number of speeding tickets slapped on motorists this year.

The Abu Dhabi Police adopted a set of recommendations and technical procedures that will contribute to implementing the new speed limit.

Major-General Al Romaithi pointed out that the decision on the new speed limits and the removal of the speed buffer, was based on scientific studies carried out by a specialised team of the General Command of Abu Dhabi Police, departments of transport and urban planning and municipalities.



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