General Information » Getting Around » Car

Over the past decades, Abu Dhabi has built (and is still building) an impressive network of roads; so be prepared to come across lots of roadworks! There are two bridges linking the island with the mainland, with a third bridge well under way. The roads to all major towns and villages are good quality. Al Ain is about 150 km from Abu Dhabi and takes about an hour and a half to reach. An eight lane highway heads north from the city to Dubai, which is also about one and a half hours away.

Driving Habits & Regulations

While the infrastructure is superb, the general standard of driving is not. The UAE has one of the world’s highest death rates, per capita, due to traffic accidents. According to the Abu Dhabi Police, one person is killed in a traffic related accident every 48 hours and there is one injury every four hours – not the most positive statistics! Drivers often seem completely unaware of other cars on the road and the usual follies of driving too fast, too close, swerving, pulling out suddenly, lane hopping or drifting, happen far too regularly.

In an attempt to improve the situation on the roads, a ban on using handheld mobile phones, while driving, was implemented. Predictably, the sales of hands free systems rocketed before people went back to their old, bad habits.

In the UAE, you drive on the right hand side of the road and it is mandatory to wear seatbelts in the front seats. Children under ten years old are no longer allowed to sit in the front of a car. This ban is now countrywide, even though you’ll still see people driving with their child on their lap.

Fines for any of the above violations are Dhs.100 plus three points on your licence; the maximum number of points which can be added to a licence before it is revoked, is 12. Speeding fines are Dhs.400 and parking fines start at Dhs.100, with points attached. Most fines are paid when you renew your annual car registration. However, parking tickets appear on your windscreen and you have a week or two to pay – the amount increases if you don’t pay within the time allotted on the back of the ticket.

Try to keep a reasonable stopping distance between yourself and the car in front. It also helps to have eyes in the back of your head and to practice skillful defensive driving at all times.

Do not attempt to go through a red traffic signal. There are cameras at many intersections to catch offenders, and it can mean a fine of Dhs.500 and five points on your licence.

If you wish to report a traffic violation, call the Traffic Police’s toll free hotline (800 4353). The Abu Dhabi Police Website: www.adpolice.gov.ae offers all...