Source: Emirates Today – Dubai
The Dubai Traffic Court ruled to fine a driver 7,000 AED and suspend his driving license for three months after being found guilty of causing a chain traffic accident on Sheikh Zayed Road, which resulted in a woman being injured and three vehicles being damaged.
The incident occurred when the defendant, an Asian taxi driver, was driving in the third lane from the right and collided with the vehicle in front of him due to negligence, inattention, and failing to maintain a safe distance. The initial collision caused the impacted vehicle to hit a third car, resulting in a woman sustaining varying injuries and causing material damage to all three vehicles.
Traffic inspection confirmed that the fault lay entirely with the taxi driver. During the investigation, the defendant admitted to committing the incident, reinforcing the validity of the charges against him. The court noted that such an admission is considered an evidentiary element that can be relied upon if it aligns with reality, emphasizing that the defendant’s statements were consistent with the official reports and technical inspection findings.
The court determined that the charges against the defendant—causing accidental injury and damaging others’ property—stemmed from a single connected act, warranting the application of the stricter penalty. Consequently, the judgment imposed both the fine and the license suspension.
Dubai Police emphasized that failing to maintain a safe distance is one of the main causes of accidents on highways, particularly on busy streets with high traffic density, noting that even a brief lapse in attention can trigger a series of consecutive collisions. According to the Federal Traffic Law, offenders who fail to maintain a safe distance are subject to a fine of 400 AED and four black points on their driving record.