Dubai’s new speed limits: Fines and penalties every motorist should know.
Dubai: Motorists travelling on five major roads in Dubai will need to pay closer attention to speed limits from November 1, when revised limits come into effect and traffic cameras are reprogrammed accordingly.
Three roads will see their speed limits raised, while two will have theirs reduced. But what do the changes mean for motorists, particularly when it comes to Dubai’s radar grace limit?
How does Dubai’s radar grace limit work?
Dubai Police distinguishes between the posted speed limit on a road and the speed at which a radar camera is set to detect violations.
The posted limit is displayed on road signs, while the radar threshold determines when a speed camera records a speeding offence.
On many major roads in Dubai, the radar threshold is typically 20km/h above the posted speed limit. For example, on a road with an 80km/h limit, a radar may be set to activate at 101km/h.
However, this buffer should not be treated as permission to exceed the posted limit. Motorists should always follow the speed displayed on road signs.
Which five roads will have new speed limits?
From November 1, the following changes will take effect:
- Al Asayel Street: Speed limit increases from 60km/h to 80km/h.
- Al Mustaqbal Street: Speed limit increases from 60km/h to 70km/h.
- Latifa bint Hamdan Street: Speed limit increases from 60km/h to 70km/h.
- Al Rebat Street: Speed limit decreases from 100km/h to 90km/h.
- Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah Street: Speed limit decreases from 80km/h to 70km/h.
The changes apply to designated sections of these roads in both directions.
The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has confirmed that road signs will be updated and traffic cameras reprogrammed to reflect the revised limits.
How much are speeding fines in Dubai?
Under UAE traffic regulations, speeding violations can result in fines, black points and vehicle impoundment, depending on how far a driver exceeds the applicable limit.
The penalties include:
- Up to 20km/h over the limit: Dh300 fine.
- More than 20km/h and up to 30km/h over: Dh600 fine.
- More than 30km/h and up to 40km/h over: Dh700 fine.
- More than 40km/h and up to 50km/h over: Dh1,000 fine.
- More than 50km/h and up to 60km/h over: Dh1,500 fine, six black points and 15-day vehicle impoundment.
- More than 60km/h and up to 80km/h over: Dh2,000 fine, 12 black points and 30-day vehicle impoundment.
- More than 80km/h over: Dh3,000 fine, 23 black points and 60-day vehicle impoundment.
Motorists should pay particular attention to posted speed limits on Al Rebat Street and Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah Street, where the limits will be reduced. Drivers should follow the updated road signs rather than relying on the radar grace limit.
