Woman fined, vehicle seized after dangerous roadside photo stunt in Dubai

Dubai Police warned against reckless traffic behaviours on public roads, emphasising that deliberate stunts or irresponsible actions behind the wheel show a blatant disregard for the lives of other road users. “Such behaviour endangers both the violators and others, and constitutes a serious violation subject to legal accountability,” they added.

Brigadier Juma Salem bin Suwaidan, Director of the General Department of Traffic at Dubai Police, explained that a viral video showed a young woman driving her vehicle on a public road while her female passenger sat on the adjacent door in a manner that endangered her life and the lives of others – all to take photos.

Brig. Juma bin Suwaidan stressed that such behaviour represents a dangerous pattern that contradicts even the most basic traffic safety rules. “It could lead to tragic consequences within moments due to loss of balance, the need for the driver to brake suddenly, or swerving to avoid an unexpected hazard on the road,” he said.

He further emphasised that sitting outside a moving vehicle or extending any part of the body outside it significantly increases the risk of serious injury or death, especially at high speeds or in the event of a crash. “Public roads are not a place for stunts or filming digital content at the expense of the safety of others,” he added. “Such practices are irresponsible and reflect a lack of awareness of the resulting dangers”.

Brig. Juma bin Suwaidan confirmed that specialised teams at the General Department of Traffic, immediately upon detecting the incident, took the necessary legal action. “The driver was identified and summoned, the vehicle was impounded, and a traffic violation was issued under the category of 'driving a vehicle in a manner that endangers the life, safety, or security of the driver or others,’” he added.

Brig. Juma bin Suwaidan confirmed that specialised teams at the General Department of Traffic, immediately upon detecting the incident, took the necessary legal action. He confirmed that the driver was identified and summoned, the vehicle was impounded, and a traffic violation was issued under the category of driving a vehicle in a manner that endangers the life, safety, or security of the driver or others. “This serious violation carries a fine of AED 2,000, a 60‑day vehicle impoundment, and 23 traffic points on the driving licence,” he added.

Brig. Juma bin Suwaidan stressed that Dubai Police will not tolerate any irresponsible traffic behaviour that endangers lives and property, affirming that traffic laws are in place to protect everyone, and that compliance reflects the level of awareness and community responsibility.

He urged drivers and their passengers to sit properly inside the vehicle, wear seatbelts, not to allow any part of the body to be extended outside the vehicle while it is moving, and to avoid being distracted by filming videos or engaging in road stunts and challenges. “Seconds of stunting can turn into a tragedy that may change the lives of innocent people forever,” he warned.

Such reckless behaviour can have devastating consequences in a matter of seconds.

Brig. bin Suwaidan concluded: “True awareness is not measured by the number of followers or views, but by the respect a person has for their own life and the lives of others. Seconds of stunting can turn into an irreversible tragedy, while obeying the law is the safe path to reaching one’s destination.”