Use of mobile phone or other distractions while driving leads to vehicle impounding for 30 days in Dubai

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

The Dubai Police General Command has provided clarification regarding the recent legal amendments to Decree No. (29) of 2015, which pertain to the impounding of vehicles within the emirate. It was stated that, in addition to the penalties and measures outlined in the applicable legislation, the Director of the General Traffic Department or their designated representative may, based on the findings of a traffic seizure report, impound a vehicle in accordance with the specified period and circumstances outlined in the aforementioned decree.

The police have indicated that there are four violations for which the period of vehicle impoundment is set at 30 days. These are: sudden swerving of a vehicle in a manner that poses a danger to lives, property and traffic safety; failure to leave a safe distance between vehicles; use of a mobile phone or other distractions while driving; and heavy vehicles not adhering to the compulsory lane.

The following violations entail a 14-day impounding period: entering the road without ensuring it is empty, reversing the vehicle in a manner that poses a danger to lives, property, and traffic safety, failure of a light vehicle to adhere to the compulsory lane, and stopping in the middle of the road without justification. Also overtaking in a dangerous manner, and failure to meet the safety and security requirements of the vehicle led involved vehicle to be impounded for 14 days.

Furthermore, stopping the vehicle on the shoulder of the road in non-emergency cases or overtaking other vehicles on the shoulder of the road; driving a vehicle that does not have a number plate; driving the vehicle in a manner that obstructs traffic; and making changes to the colour of the vehicle without a permit entail impoundment for 14 days. 

The decision was published in the Official Gazette of the Dubai Government on October 22, 2024, and thus came into force on that date.