Dubai: Dubai Police has warned of the serious dangers of stopping in the middle of the road due to a vehicle breakdown, running out of fuel, or a tyre failure. The Force stressed that drivers must ensure their vehicles are roadworthy before setting off. Under the Federal Traffic Law, stopping in the middle of the road carries a fine of AED 1,000 and six traffic points, in addition to a AED 500 fine for obstructing traffic under Article 98.

Brigadier Essam Ibrahim Al Awar, Acting Director of the General Department of Traffic, stated that stopping in the middle of the road is one of the most dangerous violations, often leading to severe accidents, fatalities, and serious injuries. He urged motorists to contact the police immediately if their vehicle breaks down and cannot be moved, so that necessary measures can be taken – such as securing the stranded vehicle with patrols and following established procedures to protect passengers and other road users.

The warning came after a collision between a vehicle and three buses on Jebel Ali Road, where a bus suddenly stopped in the middle of the road due to a technical fault. The drivers of the vehicle and the other two buses were unable to avoid the stationary bus due to negligence and lack of attention, resulting in a rear‑end collision. The accident injured 25 people, with injuries ranging from serious to moderate and minor, who were transported to hospital for treatment.

Brigadier Al Awar explained that upon receiving a report about the accident, the Command and Control Centre dispatched experts from the Traffic Accident Investigation Section to the scene to inspect and gather precise evidence to determine the exact causes of the crash. “Traffic patrols regulated traffic flow and secured the site to facilitate rescue vehicle access, while work teams removed the damaged vehicles to restore normal traffic flow,” he added.

Brig. Al Awar stated that if a vehicle suffers a technical breakdown or is involved in an accident and the driver cannot move it off the road, they must take preventive measures to avoid further incidents. “These measures include activating hazard warning lights, ensuring the safety of the driver and any passengers first, placing a warning triangle behind the vehicle at a safe distance where possible to alert approaching drivers, leaving the vehicle entirely and moving to a safe location away from the road, and finally contacting the police,” he concluded.