A man filmed driving dangerously on a street in Al Ain has been sentenced to three months in jail and fined Dh40,000.
The young man, a GCC citizen, removed the licence plates from his black SUV and was driving dangerously in what appeared to be a residential area one evening.
It is unclear when the incident occurred but it was brought to the attention of police after a video of the vehicle drifting and doing doughnuts circulated on social media.
Abu Dhabi Judicial Department said on Wednesday that the driver endangered the lives of others. Al Ain's Misdemeanour and Traffic Offences Court convicted him of reckless driving, driving a car without a number plate and causing damage to the road.
The man's car was confiscated and his driver's licence was suspended for three months.
Prosecutors called on young people to abide by traffic regulations, saying the majority of those convicted of reckless driving were aged between 18 and 30.
In May, police in Abu Dhabi and Dubai joined forces on an awareness campaign that targeted young motorists who put the lives of others at risk by driving dangerously.
Senior police officers in both emirates vowed to take a zero tolerance approach to high-speed drivers taking part in illegal street races or reckless stunts and make themselves a noisy nuisance for residents.
It came after four people were killed and one injured in Al Ain in a collision between two modified cars that were racing on the road.
Police regularly send out safety warnings over the potentially deadly dangers of drifting and racing on roads and highways.
Last year, Abu Dhabi Police told dangerous drivers they could be fined up to Dh2,000, according to traffic law, have 23 black points placed on their license or even have their vehicle impounded for up to 60 days. The GCC motorist in Al Ain was given a harsher penalty for breaking three laws.
Motorists who make illegal modifications to their cars or bikes - to increase speeds and amplify sound - could also land a Dh2,000 fine along with 12 penalty points and a 30-day impound order.
