Hefty fines for letting children stick their heads out of car windows, sit on sunroofs in Dubai

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

Dubai Police issued a stern warning against allowing passengers to protrude from vehicle windows or sit on the roofs while the vehicles were in motion. The warning comes after five related traffic accidents with various injuries were recorded last year.

Major General Saif Muhair Al Mazrouei, Director of the General Department of Traffic at Dubai Police, highlighted the dangers of such practices, stating that protruding from a moving vehicle window or sitting on its roof is improper conduct that jeopardises the safety and security of individuals involved.

He stressed that offenders would not be exempt from the penalties prescribed by the federal traffic law, which includes impounding the vehicle for 60 days, a fine of Dhs2,000, and 23 traffic points.

Additionally, Decree No. 30 of 2023 concerning the impoundment of vehicles mandates a release fee of up to Dhs50,000 for impounded vehicles.

Al Mazrouei pointed out that this behaviour is among the negative phenomena some drivers engage in, such as exiting through windows or sitting atop vehicle roofs, which could lead to sudden falls in the event of a traffic accident or abrupt stopping of the vehicle for any reason, thereby exposing them to the risk of being run over by trailing vehicles.

Al Mazrouei revealed that last year's statistics recorded five injuries resulting from individuals falling from moving vehicles, alongside 1,183 violations, and the impoundment of 707 vehicles whose drivers drove in a manner endangering their own lives and the lives of others. He noted that many traffic accidents are preventable, as they mostly result from non-compliance with traffic laws and regulations.

Al Mazrouei affirmed that reducing traffic accidents is a collective responsibility shared between the police and the community at large, urging community members to report reckless drivers or violations by contacting (901) or via the 'Police Eye' service on the Dubai Police smart app.

Dubai Police familiarise hotel staff with security services

The Dubai Tourist Police Department at the General Department of Criminal Investigation (CID) has recently organised a workshop to raise awareness among 90 Hilton Dubai Palm Jumeirah employees about smart police services, security procedures, and public safety measures.

The event, held at Hilton Dubai Palm Jumeirah, was organised in cooperation with the Department of Economy and Tourism, the General Directorate of Civil Defence, the Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services, and internal partners within the Dubai Police.