Daijiworld Media Network - Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi, Jun 29: An Abu Dhabi Criminal Court has sentenced a motorist to six months in prison, fined him a total of Dh70,000 and suspended his driving licence for one year after finding him guilty of reckless driving that endangered the lives of other road users.
The ruling underscores the UAE's strict approach towards dangerous driving, with authorities reiterating that reckless behaviour behind the wheel is treated as a serious criminal offence rather than a routine traffic violation.
According to the Abu Dhabi Public Prosecution, the case stemmed from an incident in which the driver deliberately swerved his vehicle repeatedly while travelling on a public road, performing hazardous manoeuvres that posed a significant risk to himself and other motorists.
The incident was detected by the authorities, following which the driver was arrested and referred to the Public Prosecution. The matter was subsequently fast-tracked to the Abu Dhabi Criminal Court.
During the proceedings, prosecutors presented multiple forms of evidence, including police reports, investigation records, technical analyses and surveillance camera footage that captured the driver's dangerous actions. After reviewing the evidence, the court concluded that the accused had intentionally engaged in reckless conduct that threatened public safety.
Along with the six-month jail term, the court imposed a Dh50,000 fine for the reckless driving offence. Since the vehicle involved belonged to another individual and could not be confiscated under the law, the driver was also directed to pay an additional Dh20,000 representing the assessed value of the vehicle.
The court further ordered the suspension of the offender's driving licence for one year. The suspension will come into effect after the completion of his prison sentence, preventing him from legally driving during that period.
In total, the convicted motorist will serve six months in prison, pay Dh70,000 in financial penalties and remain barred from driving for one year following his release.
Following the judgment, the Abu Dhabi Public Prosecution urged motorists to strictly adhere to traffic regulations and exercise responsible driving practices. It warned that dangerous actions such as reckless swerving, excessive speeding and manoeuvres that endanger public safety can attract severe criminal penalties, including imprisonment, substantial fines, licence suspension and vehicle-related sanctions.
Officials said the latest verdict reflects Abu Dhabi's continued commitment to enhancing road safety and sends a strong message that behaviour putting lives at risk will be dealt with firmly under the law.