Awatif Mohammad Shoqi Advocates & Legal Consultancy | View firm profile
It is usually impossible to know when would you have prevented the accident, but it is possible to know what can be prevented after the accident especially in UAE. Most drivers in UAE have found themselves in unfortunate major or minor road accidents in UAE at some point in time. Legal Consultants in Dubai will give five important tips to consider post the road accident.
Laws of UAE pertaining to road
traffic and accidents are incisive and unambiguous and impose hefty fines on
those who violate the provision of road
safety laws which we are very much aware of. The present article focuses on the
tips to consider if you collide with another vehicle on the road.
1. Get Aside
The first and the
foremost step to be
considered once you meet with a road accident regardless of whether your car
has hit another car or you have been hit by someone, is to park the car at a
safe place, turn on the hazard lights and step outside the car. In case, you
have been hit by a car, and the driver
tries to evade the incident, you must immediately try to note the license
number of the car and accordingly pass it on to the police.
2. Don’t Run
Away
Never ever leave the sight of the
accident, irrespective of the gravity of the incident or if it is your fault. It
is illegal to leave or run away after meeting with an accident which may result
in a penalty of minimum AED 500 and 5 black points on driving license along
with confiscation of the car for at least a week. Whereas, severe penalties
will be imposed if you flee from a major accident.
3. Call 999
The second step to be undertaken by
you should be dialling 999 immediately to
call the police or ambulance at the sight of the accident. You may click
pictures of the damaged car. However, you
should not click pictures of others as it is a clear violation of the Cybercrime Law of UAE.
4. Follow Police
Instructions
Importantly, one should remain calm
and must provide all relevant information to the police authority. The police
post reviewing the sight of the accident
will issue three different types of the form that is pink, green and white
where the former is for the accused and green is for the innocent, and the latter is issued if neither of the
party is accused or if the accused is unknown.
5. Post the
Police report
The last step after receiving the
police report is to inform either the insurance or rental Car Company as the
case may be to inform them about the incident. The company will accordingly
arrange the tow service at the sight as if the car has incurred damage you will
not be allowed to drive.
Similar steps should be followed if
your car hit an object like a wall or
concrete parking. The police should be immediately informed of such incident
failing to abide by these guidelines may lead to serious penalties.
New Law
UAE has issued new guidelines under
Ministerial Resolution Number 178 of 2017 in order to enhance more security to
avoid road accidents. The new Resolution mandates all the passengers in the car
to wear seat belts failing of which driver will get 4 black points on the
license along with a fine of AED 400. Passengers driving under the influence of alcohol may now face
suspension of license for one year and may attract fine and imprisonment. Over
speeding will invite 23 black points and confiscation of the vehicle for 60
days. Most importantly, reckless driving can lead to a fine of AED 2,000 plus
23 black points.