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Drive safe and get your fines waived off in Dubai

Dubai - If a driver commits a violation after three months, he or she can get a reduction of 25 per cent of the total outstanding fines.

If you abide by traffic laws for one full year, all your accumulated fines will be waived off as part of a new scheme announced by the Dubai Police on Wednesday. Motorists with outstanding fines can go on to complete their vehicle registration process without having to pay them. The fine amount would be frozen till the motorist commits a fresh traffic violation. The longer he/she avoids committing a violation, the higher the discount.

Major-General Mohammed Saif Al Zafeen, assistant commander-in-chief for operations, said: "The driver's compliance with traffic laws and regulations would be computed from February 6, 2019, with a 25 per cent reduction for every three months.

If a driver commits an offence before the end of the period, he or she cannot benefit from the initiative and the grace period is recounted from the date of the new violation."

If a driver commits a violation after three months, he or she can get a reduction of 25 per cent of the total outstanding fines. Drivers who manage to stay free of penalties for six months would get a 50 per cent discount, while those who drive safely for nine months would get a 75 per cent reduction. The fine amount would be totally waived off if a driver completes 12 months of good, violation-free driving.

Maj-Gen Al Zafeen said the initiative covers only privately owned vehicles in Dubai and does not apply to those registered with businesses, rental offices or companies, including public or private transport companies.

He added that individuals who reside outside the state for more than three consecutive months from the date of the traffic violation would not be eligible for the initiative. The initiative applies only to traffic fines in Dubai and does not include those issued by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and Dubai Municipality.

Major-General Abdullah Khalifa Al Marri, Commander-in-Chief of the Dubai Police, said the programme is a result of a "thorough study of what is happening on the ground". It is an initiative that aims to keep roads safe while also ensuring the happiness of people, he said. "Not only is 2019 the Year of Tolerance, it is also a year of reconciliation," Maj-Gen Al Marri said.

The initiative sends a message that laws are set to serve communities - not just to discipline violators, he added.

amira@khaleejtimes.com