With the new traffic rules in place since the beginning of this month, UAE motorists have been called on to be more careful. Soon after, however, a small-scale panic ensued when the rumor mill churned out the news that the modified rules also involved RTA doing away with the long-standing 20km/h grace window. Well, we are here to give you the inside scoop.
Drivers in the Emirates are aware that there is a 20 km/h buffer over the speed limit meaning they have a grace window before the radar flashes. So, for example, if you are traveling at a speed of 120km/h on a road with a 100km/h speed limit, the radar will not flash. But if you go beyond the window, say at 121 km/h, the radar will flash and you will have to suffer a fine. Given the new speeding fines, for as much as AED 3000, in the case of crossing the speed limit by 80 km/h, it’s best if you stay within the limits.
Currently, the speed limit on the Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road is 120km/h and the radar is set to flash at 141km/h. Similarly, the speed limit on the Sheikh Zayed Road is 100km/h with the radar flash set for 121 km/h.
Recently, Thomas Edelmann, Managing Director of RoadSafetyUAE confirmed that the grace window is still in place but he didn’t sound too happy about it. From a road safety perspective, he has called for the removal of the buffer declaring that the UAE should also use a ‘what you see is what you get’ approach similar to other countries. So while most motorists in the UAE are happy with the decision to keep the grace window, there are some who agree with Edelmann’s view about making things more clear-cut.
And never forget that a well-maintained car is a road-safe car. So if you are looking for well-maintained used cars for sale in the UAE, check out CarSwitch’s extensive inventory of inspected, certified and warrantied used cars. Stay safe, everyone!
