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Drivers who break the speed limit on stretches of a key Abu Dhabi motorway may be subject to Abu Dhabi traffic fines of Dh 400. So, the slow drivers here will face a fine on a 120kph minimum speed road. The new rule was in effect from May 1, 2023.

The revised traffic regulations went into effect at the beginning of April on Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Road's first and second left-hand lanes. The 140 kph speed limit will continue to apply to this highway that connects Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

There are no minimum speed limits in the third and last lanes, which are designed for huge vehicles. Since the speed limit was implemented, Abu Dhabi Police have issued warnings to drivers who have broken it. But as of May 1, there were financial penalties for exceeding the speed limit.

Following the new regulations, Gen. Ahmed Saif Al Muhairi, the director of the Central Operations Sector at the Abu Dhabi Police, mentioned that the decision for the low-speed activation is to make sure the safety of drivers by requiring slow vehicles to move on the right lanes and to always make way for vehicles with preference coming from the left or behind.

People who drive slowly, especially those in the far-left lane, are frequently the target of aggressive tailgating from those traveling faster than them. Their actions can also push car drivers to move at much higher speeds to make risky evasive maneuvers, like quickly changing lanes or braking unexpectedly.

Public Approval of the Plan

Following the statement about the new speed restriction, Abu Dhabi Police ran a poll on social media requesting the public if it would improve road user safety. The poll got 3,400+ replies, with 78.5% of respondents supporting the new rule. Only a small number of nations implement minimum speed limits. Only the US, Indonesia, the UK, Japan, Portugal, and Australia, according to 2020 research by the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research, have locales with minimal speed limits.

According to Thomas Edelmann, the executive director of Road Safety UAE, on UAE highways, drivers often choose the second-left lane and closely follow it. Many times, these car drivers are not aware that they are traveling at a different speed than the cars in front of them and behind them. These drivers often experience being overtaken by vehicles passing on their right side while remaining stopped.

The 120 kph minimum speed restriction may be used as a test to observe if drivers' lane-changing tendencies change. In November 2016, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Road was inaugurated in his honor. He is the Vice President and Ruler of Dubai. In order to reduce traffic between the two cities, a 62-kilometer road that cost Dh2.1 billion was shared with Sheikh Zayed Road.

Therefore, you are advised by the new UAE regulations to adhere to the law. We also advise you to buy motor insurance online or offline, which is required in the country. As a result, you may protect your pocket from needless financial hardships in the event of an accident, theft, or dealing with a natural disaster. There are a large number of insurance companies in dubai and the UAE. However, you must be mindful of making the appropriate choice, which could be a challenging chore for you. Not to worry! One of the leading insurance companies in UAE, policyhouse offers quick and easy processing of claims, free registration assistance, and highly dedicated customer service.