The onus of traffic fines incurred by learners during driving lessons has shifted to the driving institutes themselves, according to a recent clarification by Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).
This new ruling aims to incentivize driving schools to prioritize safety and provide more comprehensive training for new drivers.
Previously, traffic violations committed by learners resulted in fines, typically including a monetary penalty and black points, being levied against the learner themself. However, under the new guidelines, the driving school overseeing the learner’s training will be held responsible for any fines incurred.
Importance of Safe Driving Habits
Road safety expert Thomas Edelmann, founder of RoadSafetyUAE, underscored the need for a heightened focus on new drivers. Statistics from the Ministry of Interior (MOI) indicate that 15% of major accidents in 2023 involved drivers with new licenses.
Edelmann called for a collaborative effort to improve road safety. “Stakeholders like driving schools, universities, employers, and even parents all have a role to play,” he said. He suggested introducing mandatory road safety education programs in schools, similar to those in other countries, to instill safe driving habits from an early age. Edelmann also advocated for a review of driving school curriculums.
The new traffic fine ruling, coupled with a renewed emphasis on instructor responsibility and early education, aims to create a generation of safer and more responsible drivers in the UAE.
