In January 2024 alone, nearly 44,000 people were caught jaywalking across Dubai, and eight lives were tragically lost in run-over incidents. While crossing the street from undesignated areas might appear quicker and more convenient, it often leads to dangerous — and sometimes deadly — consequences.
To tackle this ongoing safety issue, the UAE has introduced new traffic regulations under Federal Decree-Law No. 14 of 2024, which took effect on March 29. The updated law enforces stricter penalties, including steeper fines, possible jail time, and both criminal and civil liability for pedestrians who ignore safe crossing rules.
Harsher Fines and Jail Time for Jaywalking Offenders
Previously, jaywalking offenders faced a Dh400 fine for crossing roads from non-designated locations. However, under the newly established Federal Decree-Law No. 14 of 2024, the penalties are significantly tougher, especially when such actions lead to accidents.
Article 7 of the decree, which specifies rules for road usage, makes it clear: pedestrians, cyclists, e-scooter users, and anyone using personal transport must neither stop in the middle of the road nor cross from undesignated areas.
If a pedestrian violates this law and causes a traffic accident, they could face both imprisonment and a fine ranging between Dh5,000 and Dh10,000. The law goes further for roads where the speed limit is 80 km/h or higher. In such zones, violators who cause accidents can be held civilly or criminally liable and may face a minimum of three months in jail, a fine of at least Dh10,000, or both.
Staying Safe — Avoiding Jaywalking Penalties
Jaywalking refers to crossing streets from non-designated areas, which remains illegal across the UAE. Even at pedestrian crossings, individuals must follow traffic signals and only step onto the road when the pedestrian light turns green.
To improve road safety and avoid harsh penalties, the UAE government continues to promote safe and accessible crossing points. Subways, footbridges, and smart pedestrian crossings are widely available to help residents navigate busy roads safely.
Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) also issued essential safety advice for pedestrians:
- Stay alert at zebra crossings and avoid phone distractions.
- Refrain from wearing headphones while crossing the road.
- Always look and listen in all directions before crossing.
- Cross only at corners and adhere to traffic signals when available.
- Use footbridges and subways wherever possible.
- Never cross when the pedestrian signal is red.
- Make eye contact with drivers to ensure they have stopped before crossing.
- Wear reflective clothing at night for better visibility.
- If no pavement is available, walk facing oncoming traffic to stay aware of approaching vehicles.
These measures, combined with the new law, aim to significantly reduce jaywalking incidents and enhance road safety for everyone in the UAE.
