Abu Dhabi // Thirteen types of traffic offences will be exempt from vehicle impoundment, the Abu Dhabi Police (ADP) Traffic and Patrols Directorate announced.
But the exemption will only be valid for first-time offenders, who will have to sign an affidavit agreeing that the offence will not be repeated, police said.
The purpose of this decision was to give drivers an opportunity to learn from their first offence, and to make drivers aware of the repercussions of traffic violations, Brig Gen Hussain al Harethi, the head of (ADP) Traffic and Patrols Directorate, said.
However, he added, the exemption would not be applied to serious infractions such as jumping red lights or fleeing an accident.
Exemptions will cover offences that include speeding over 60kph, driving heavy and light vehicles that do not comply with safety regulations, driving vehicles that cause excessive noise, throwing rubbish from the vehicle on to the street and driving vehicles that emit gases that exceed specified limits.
Other exemptions are outlined as operating vehicles that are not in driving condition, not complying to the loading and unloading regulations in car parks, operating a vehicle with unsuitable tyres, driving an unlicensed vehicle, driving a vehicle that has not been rechecked after a major modification in the engine or chassis and driving an uninsured vehicle on the highway.
If an offence was repeated, the owner's vehicle would be impounded for two weeks and if it was committed a third time, the vehicle would be impounded for one month, officials said.
"We know how much owners value their vehicles and how difficult it is for them to have to do without their cars, and the traffic department's goal is to impound the vehicles only in serious cases that endanger people's lives and property," Brig Gen al Harethi said.
Vehicle owners can buy impoundment days at Dh100 per day, but the traffic authority can deny bail at its own discretion if it believes the offence has been committed intentionally.
