Drunk Abu Dhabi driver jailed for six months and fined Dh100,000 for driving on wrong side of road

In Abu Dhabi, a driver has been sentenced to six months in jail and fined Dh100,000 for driving on the wrong side of the road, according to the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department. The criminal court convicted the individual of deliberately endangering lives and road users, stating that his vehicle was confiscated and his driving licence was suspended for three years, beginning after his prison term.

Forensic lab tests confirmed the defendant was under the influence of alcohol, with a blood test showing elevated alcohol levels. The court observed the defendant driving recklessly against the flow of traffic, violating traffic regulations and posing a significant threat to public safety. The conviction was based on evidence from the field report, surveillance footage, and the defendant's own confession.

The UAE Federal Decree-Law No (14) of 2024 on traffic regulation allows authorities to arrest drivers found under the influence of alcohol or other substances that impair their ability to control the vehicle. Article 35 of the law prescribes a minimum fine of Dh20,000 and a maximum of Dh100,000, imprisonment, or a combination of both. The driving license is suspended for a period of at least three months on the first offense, six months on the second, and cancelled on the third.

Article 40 of the law states that if a drunk driver causes someone's death, the motorist will face imprisonment and a fine of no less than Dh50,000, or one of those penalties. The court emphasized the severity of the defendant's behavior, stressing the need for strict enforcement of traffic laws.