Photo has been used for illustrative purposes.

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

The Abu Dhabi Integrated Transport Centre (ITC) activated the long awaited ‘Darb’ tollgate system from the early hours of Jan.2 to ease traffic flow in the emirate.

The ITC authorities are requesting vehicle owners in Abu Dhabi to register for the ‘Darb’ tollgate system and activate their accounts via https://darb.itc.gov.ae or via the Darb app to avoid unnecessary fines.

The toll gate system was introduced in the application of Law No. (17) of 2017 on Road Tolls in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, issued by the UAE President, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, in his capacity as Ruler of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.

The tollgate will reduce hazardous toxins produced during the peak traffic hours and would encourage the use of public transport.

The first day saw over 200,000 registrations for the tollgate system.

The ITC Abu Dhabi on its Instagram account said, “Thanks to your cooperation, the total number of registered accounts in the #DARB_AbuDhabi Toll Gate System have exceeded 250,000 users.

“Toll fees are Dhs4 for individual vehicles, charged during peak hours from Saturday to Thursday between (7-9 am & 5-7pm).

The maximum daily toll fee is Dhs16 for each vehicle. The maximum monthly fee will be Dhs200 for the first vehicle, Dhs150 for the second vehicle and Dhs100 for any additional vehicle.”

Moaz Ahmed, a Mechanical Engineer who works with an engineering firm in Abu Dhabi, said that this initiative would help manage the rush hour traffic and avoid accidents.

The 26-year-old Egyptian, who lives with his beautiful fianceé in Sharjah, said travelling to Abu Dhabi would be easier with the tollgate system. 

Like Moaz, other motorists were all praise for the system.

The authorities have repeatedly urged motorists to register for the system to avoid violations.

There are violations for unregistered vehicles passing through the gates. It said a fine will be issued with the amount Dhs100 for unregistered vehicles after passing through the tolling gate for the first time when the grace period ends (ten working days) starting from the date of the act without registering the vehicle.

It also said that passing through the gate with unregistered vehicles for the second time would draw a Dhs200 fine, and passing through the gate for the third time would draw Dhs400 fine.

There are fines for insufficient balance in the account.

A fine will be issued with the amount Dhs50 for each transaction in case of insufficient balance for vehicles registered out of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, after the grace period of five working days ends without sufficient balance in the user’s wallet.

The authorities have warned not to manipulate the tollgate system.

The authorities said a fine will be issued with the amount of Dhs10,000 for manipulating the vehicle’s licence plate to evade the payment of traffic fees.

It also said a fine will be issued with the amount of Dhs10,000 for damaging any of the electronic payment machines or tollgates.

ITC also pointed out that the system will not collect toll fees outside of peak hours, on Fridays, and official holidays. Regular toll fees will be deducted automatically from the user’s prepaid account through an integrated and advanced electronic wallet, indicating that the vehicle is identified by its number without the need to install a tag on the windshield.

On the other hand, ITC announced that it had approved more than 8,000 requests for exemption from ‘DARB’ toll fees. The categories exempt from ‘DARB’ toll fees include senior citizens, retired citizens, low-income citizens, and People of Determination. Within this context, ITC stressed the need for members of these groups to register in the ‘DARB’ toll gate system before submitting the exemption application and to attach all supporting documents needed when submitting the application through the system’s website or through the ‘DARB’ smartphone application, provided that the exemption is limited to one vehicle only. Users can transfer the exemption from one vehicle to another, as per the owner’s request, provided that the first vehicle exemption is cancelled.

It is worth noting that ‘DARB’ tollgate system is part of an integrated transport system and is in line with the Surface Transport Master Plan for the emirate of Abu Dhabi. The system aims to increase the efficiency of the transport sector, reduce the use of personal vehicles, and encourage community members to use alternative means of transport. It also gives users the time and the ability to plan their trips and select the appropriate times to travel.

Meanwhile, Abu Dhabi has activated radars all across the city to catch motorists for not putting on seat belts and using mobile phones while driving from Jan1, 2021.

The authorities activated the VAST’ (Vehicular Attention and Safety Tracker) system for automated detection of seat belt and mobile phone violations. 

The ‘VAST’ system aims to preserve the safety of drivers, passengers and all road users, as well as raising awareness and educating the community on the importance of following safe driving practices.