Abu Dhabi Drink-Driver Sentenced to Six Months and Fined Dh100,000 for Driving Against Traffic

A motorist in Abu Dhabi has been handed a six-month prison sentence and a Dh100,000 fine after being convicted of driving on the wrong side of the road, according to an announcement by the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department (ADJD) on Monday. The criminal court determined that the drink-driver deliberately endangered the lives of the public and fellow road users, as detailed in a social media statement released by ADJD.

Alongside the prison term and financial penalty, the offender's vehicle was confiscated, and his driving licence was suspended for a duration of three years. The suspension is set to take effect immediately following the completion of his jail sentence. Following his apprehension, forensic laboratory blood tests confirmed that the defendant was operating the vehicle under the influence of alcohol. Authorities noted that the motorist was observed driving recklessly against the flow of traffic, constituting a severe violation of traffic regulations and a direct threat to public safety.

The criminal court's conviction relied on substantial evidence, which included a field report, surveillance footage from the monitoring centre that explicitly captured the violation, and the defendant's own confession. The court strongly condemned the actions as a blatant disregard for traffic laws and underscored the necessity for strict legal enforcement.

Under the legal framework of UAE Federal Decree-Law No (14) of 2024 concerning traffic regulation, enforcement bodies hold the authority to arrest any individual caught driving while impaired by alcohol, narcotics, or psychotropic substances that impair vehicle control. Article 35 dictates that operating or attempting to operate a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol carries a penalty of imprisonment and a fine ranging from Dh20,000 to Dh100,000, or one of these penalties. Furthermore, the court mandates the suspension of the driving licence for at least three months for a first offense, six months for a second offense, and outright cancellation upon a third offense.

The legislation also outlines that driving under the influence of narcotic or psychotropic substances is punishable by imprisonment and fines ranging from Dh30,000 to Dh200,000. Additionally, Article 40 specifies that if an impaired driver causes a fatality, the punishment escalates to imprisonment and a fine of no less than Dh50,000, with severe cases resulting in at least one year of imprisonment and a minimum fine of Dh100,000.