The Abu Dhabi Police has issued a reminder to motorists, cautioning them against reckless overtaking and lane changing within the emirate. The authority took to X, sharing several videos that highlight the perils of disregarding traffic laws when changing lanes. Vehicles that use the shoulder for overtaking can inadvertently block emergency vehicles, constituting a grave violation that carries a Dh1,000 fine and six black points, as stipulated by Article 42 of the federal traffic law.
In the first video, a car is observed making an abrupt lane change, narrowly avoiding a collision with a public transport bus. This near miss could have easily resulted in a catastrophic crash. The second video depicts a sedan colliding with another vehicle after a reckless lane change, causing significant damage to the car's exterior. In a third video, a trailer truck is seen changing lanes over the hard shoulder, with other vehicles speeding by in their designated lanes. This scenario underscores the potential danger faced by smaller vehicles when larger, heavier vehicles engage in such risky maneuvers.
The authority had previously advised motorists to check their blind spots before changing lanes and to refrain from using the hard shoulder for overtaking. Sudden deviations or swerving were identified as one of the top five violations contributing to 71% of total fatalities and 61% of all injuries on UAE roads in 2023. According to the Ministry of Interior (MOI), there were 352 road fatalities across the country last year, a 3% increase from the 343 deaths recorded in 2022, but an 8% decrease compared to the 381 fatalities in 2021.
