Abu Dhabi Police Warn Drivers Against Distraction At Intersections And Red Light Penalties

Abu Dhabi Police are urging drivers across the emirate to stay fully alert at intersections and signals, warning that brief lapses in attention are causing serious crashes. The force is linking distraction-related violations, such as ignoring red lights, with strict penalties already enforced under local traffic legislation.

The legal framework, set by Law No. (5) of 2020, sets out financial, administrative and driving licence penalties for crossing a red light in Abu Dhabi. Officials are drawing renewed attention to these rules as part of an awareness push on safe driving behaviour at junctions.

The penalties for running a red light include a fine, black points, vehicle impoundment and licence suspension, which Abu Dhabi Police describe as essential deterrents to protect other road users. Authorities stressed that these measures target high‑risk behaviours that often occur at traffic signals and during left turns.

The campaign highlights how distraction at the wheel, especially when approaching signals or turning left, can quickly lead to severe collisions. Abu Dhabi Police noted that drivers who divert attention from the road, even briefly, often misjudge traffic movement or fail to notice signal changes.

According to the force, high‑risk habits include using mobile phones, handling in‑car devices or performing other tasks while driving. Police are advising motorists to track pedestrian crossings, road signs and lane markings carefully, and to follow instructions from traffic patrol officers stationed at busy junctions.

To support these warnings, Abu Dhabi Police, working with the Monitoring and Control Centre, have released real‑world video clips showing crashes caused by loss of focus and sudden vehicle deviations. The footage is being used to demonstrate how quickly distraction can escalate into property damage and injuries.

Officials emphasised that failure to pay the AED50,000 release fee within three months leads to the impounded vehicle being transferred for sale at a public auction. This measure is intended to ensure penalties are enforced and to deter repeat offences involving red light violations in the emirate.

Abu Dhabi Police stressed that road safety is a shared duty among drivers, pedestrians and authorities, and that adherence to traffic rules remains central to reducing collisions at intersections. The current campaign seeks to reinforce that careful driving, especially at signals, is essential to protecting lives and property.

With inputs from WAM