Dubai: Brigadier Juma Salem bin Suwaidan, Director of the General Department of Traffic at Dubai Police, has urged drivers and vehicle owners to regularly review their traffic records and settle accumulated fines without delay. He warned that neglecting fines could lead to vehicle impoundment, legal action, increased financial burdens, and the suspension of vehicle-related transactions.

Brig. Juma bin Suwaidan revealed that field teams from the Traffic Violations Monitoring Department, during inspection campaigns in the first half of this year, seized 497 vehicles with accumulated traffic fines. He noted that fines on some vehicles amounted to tens of thousands of dirhams, while several owners had not renewed their vehicle registrations for years.

Brig. Juma bin Suwaidan emphasised that the accumulation of fines and failure to renew vehicle registration reflect irresponsible behaviour and disregard for regulations designed to protect lives and property. “Driving an unregistered vehicle poses a serious risk to the safety of both the driver and other road users, especially if the vehicle has not undergone technical inspection to confirm its roadworthiness,” he added.

The Director of the General Department of Traffic also clarified that traffic fines are not merely a means of collecting penalties, but a tool to deter dangerous behaviour, discourage repeat offenders, and reinforce compliance with traffic laws. He noted that repeated violations expose drivers and all road users to the risk of accidents, resulting in fatalities, injuries, and material damage.

Brig. Juma bin Suwaidan stressed that Dubai Police takes a firm stance in enforcing the law against vehicles with accumulated fines and will continue inspection campaigns to seize vehicles with traffic violations and non-renewed registrations, taking the prescribed legal action against them. He affirmed that leniency in paying fines or leaving a vehicle unregistered does not absolve the owner of responsibility.

He explained that field teams rely on an integrated system of smart technologies to detect wanted vehicles and determine their locations, whether on the roads, in parking lots, or in public areas, enhancing enforcement efficiency and facilitating swift legal action.

Brig. Juma bin Suwaidan noted that the General Department of Traffic, before taking legal action, contacts vehicle owners via phone calls, text messages, and email to urge them to settle fines and renew their vehicle registration. He stressed that the campaigns are not only about impoundment, but also about raising traffic awareness and reinforcing driver responsibility.

Furthermore, he called on vehicle owners to update their contact details with the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) in Dubai to ensure they receive notifications and alerts regarding fines, and to regularly review their traffic records, rather than waiting until fines accumulate and become difficult to settle.

Brig. Juma bin Suwaidan confirmed that Dubai Police provides multiple secure channels for checking and paying fines around the clock, including the Dubai Police smart app, the website, self-service kiosks, and Smart Police Stations (SPS), enabling customers to complete their transactions easily and quickly.

He also indicated the availability of flexible instalment plans for traffic fines, including through the Dubai Police app, the "Tabby" service, and interest-free instalment options in cooperation with authorised entities. “These options help vehicle owners manage their financial obligations, settle accumulated fines, and avoid the legal and financial consequences of delayed payment,” he added.

Brig. Juma bin Suwaidan called on drivers to make traffic compliance a lasting habit, stressing that settling fines is a legal responsibility, while not committing violations in the first place remains the ideal choice for protecting lives and property and enhance safety on Dubai's roads.