Strict reminders issued once again for traffic infractions in school zones within UAE

On the first day of the new school year, 25 August 2024, the Ministry of Interior declared the "Day Without Accidents" initiative, marking a commitment to road safety and student protection. This campaign is part of a broader effort to ensure the safety of students both on the roads and in school buses.

In Dubai, speed limits in school zones are 30-40 km/h, with fines ranging from Dh300 to Dh3,000 for exceeding the limit. Exceeding by more than 60 km/h may lead to vehicle impoundment and licence suspension. Drivers are also required to stop at least five metres behind when a school bus raises its STOP sign, with a fine of Dh1,000 + 10 black points.

Not wearing a seatbelt carries a Dh400 fine and 4 black points, and all passengers, front and back, are legally required to wear seatbelts. The driver is held responsible if anyone does not comply. Mobile phone use while driving in school zones is strictly banned, with a fine of Dh800.

Other common violations around schools include speeding in school zones, ignoring traffic rules, and stopping in no-parking areas outside school gates. Failing to stop at a school bus sign carries a Dh1,000 fine and 10 black points. The use of fake, altered, damaged, or unlicensed number plates is penalized heavily under the law. Drivers must also give way to pedestrians in school zones, with a fine of Dh500.

The authorities coordinating the road safety campaign for school transportation in the United Arab Emirates are primarily the Ministry of Interior (MOI) through its traffic departments and the respective local municipalities responsible for transport and road safety initiatives.

In an effort to encourage safe driving, drivers who commit to no violations on the first school day of 25 August 2025 will have four black points deducted from their record. Drivers must pledge online to be eligible for the black point reduction incentive, and if they remain violation-free, the deduction will be applied automatically by 15 September 2025.

School buses and student safety are of great importance, and a quick check inside the bus could save a life. All school buses in the UAE must be fitted with automatic fire suppression systems from the 2025 academic year, as per standard UAE.S 5041:2021. The automatic fire suppression systems are designed to detect and extinguish engine fires automatically.

Brigadier Hussein Ahmed Al Harthi, Chairman of the Federal Traffic Council, emphasized that the campaign is not only about safety on the first day but also about tackling repeated violations. Bus drivers and supervisors are legally responsible for ensuring all students get off safely from the bus. Negligence can bring severe penalties.

The "Day Without Accidents" initiative was held nationwide with all police departments, aiming to improve road safety during the busy school return period. The authorities renew warnings about traffic violations around schools every new school year, underscoring their commitment to ensuring the safety of students on the roads.

Strict reminders issued once again for traffic infractions in school zones within UAE