Dubai: Drivers across the UAE are rushing to sign up for the Ministry of Interior’s ‘Accident-Free Day’ pledge, which offers motorists the chance to have four black points removed from their traffic records by committing to safe driving on August 25, 2025.

The initiative coincides with the first day of the new school year and aims to raise awareness about road safety, particularly in school zones, where protecting children is a top priority.

For 29-year-old Ahmed Salim, the timing couldn’t be better. “I already have 12 black points, mostly from speeding fines,” he said. “Getting four points deducted is a relief. This pledge is a good reminder to be more disciplined and focused on the road. I plan to treat that day as a personal challenge to stay calm and follow every rule strictly.”

Many motorists welcomed the campaign enthusiastically. “Everyone who knew me, especially my closest friend, called me to register,” Ahmed added with a smile. “He told me, ‘I hope you learn from this one.’”

This programme is part of a series of traffic safety campaigns rolled out by the UAE in recent years to promote responsible driving and reward compliance with traffic laws, helping build a culture of road safety.

Veteran driver Khaled Mansour, 41, a Jordanian expat who regularly commutes between Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, views the pledge as a mental reset. “It’s a nice challenge to be consciously aware of my driving all day,” he said. “I’ll monitor my speed, avoid distractions like my phone, and give way to others. It feels like hitting a reset button on my driving habits.”

Under the pledge, participants must commit to obeying all traffic regulations—wearing seat belts, respecting speed limits, maintaining safe distances, giving priority to pedestrians, avoiding phone use, and yielding to emergency vehicles and official convoys.

Fatima Ali, 29, from Sharjah, hopes the initiative will help her reduce her six black points. “I’m motivated to drive more carefully, especially with schools reopening soon,” she said. Fatima admitted that traffic congestion sometimes causes her to lose focus on road safety, particularly during long waits.

Registration for the pledge is available online via the Ministry of Interior’s official portal. Drivers who complete the day without violations will have their black points removed automatically on September 15, 2025, without visiting service centres.

“Our goal is to create a safer environment for all road users by encouraging adherence to traffic regulations,” said Brigadier Engineer Hussain Ahmed Al Harthi, Chairman of the Federal Traffic Council. “These campaigns save lives and protect property by promoting responsible driving across the UAE.”

With the new school year just around the corner, the ‘Accident-Free Day’ pledge serves as both a valuable incentive and a timely reminder for drivers to put safety first on the roads.