Drive Safe, Wipe the Slate: UAE’s New Initiative to Reduce Black Points

This initiative aims to increase road safety ahead of the school year and allows drivers to get 4 black points removed from their driving license.

Dubai: The Ministry of Interior, together with the Federal Traffic Council, has announced the annual ‘Accident-Free Day’ campaign. As the name suggests, it is aimed at promoting safer roads across the UAE. This year’s date has been set for Monday, August 25, 2025. It also marks the start of the new school year, one of the busiest days for traffic nationwide.

If you submit a pledge and avoid accidents, follow traffic rules, and comply with regulations on this day, you will be rewarded with a reduction in penalties. Specifically, 4 black points will be removed from your driving licence. This will be done automatically by September 15, 2025.

What’s the Importance of the Initiative?

This initiative is designed to remind drivers of their responsibility on the road. It encourages safe practices such as wearing seatbelts, respecting speed limits, staying attentive behind the wheel, and exercising extra caution near schools and pedestrian crossings. It does so by giving an incentive of black point reduction.

Brigadier Engineer Hussein Ahmed Al Harithi, Chairman of the Federal Traffic Council, said the “Accident-Free Day” campaign reflects the UAE’s vision for safer roads. He emphasised the importance of responsible driving, including respecting speed limits, avoiding distractions, maintaining safe distances, and giving priority to pedestrians and emergency vehicles. He further assured that this collective effort will build a culture of accident-free driving.

How to Enroll in this Campaign?

To qualify for this campaign, here’s what you need to do —

• Visit the MOI website (moi.gov.ae) and sign in with your UAE Pass
• Choose the ‘Initiative of a Day without Accidents’ option under the ‘Smart Services’ menu
• Read the commitments and click on ‘I Agree’
• You will get a participation certificate on the UAE Pass-linked email

Important

1. Your black points will get removed by September 15, 2025, if you follow all the terms and conditions of the initiative.
2. To qualify, you need to register before August 25, 2025

What are the Rules in the Pledge?

The ‘Accident Free Day’ pledge has the following rules —

• I will give priority to pedestrians at crossings
• I will keep a safe distance from the vehicle ahead
• I will wear my seatbelt at all times
• I will follow the posted speed limits
• I will not use a mobile phone while driving
• I will allow the right of way to emergency vehicles, police, public transport, and official convoys

FYI: What are Black Points?

When drivers violate any traffic rules, they get penalised with ‘Black Points’ or traffic points. Minor offences, such as speeding errors or parking mistakes, may only result in fines. However, more serious violations like reckless driving or running a red light can lead to black points. Depending on the offence, you can collect anywhere from 4 to 24 black points.

If you reach 24 points, your licence can be suspended. Any violations after this point can be sent to court as well. Beyond legal consequences, black points can also increase car insurance costs as insurers consider drivers with more points to be higher-risk.