Back to School: Dh1,000 Fine, Traffic Rules, Safety Checklists, & More

As the school year begins, the Ministry of Interior has issued important reminders about traffic laws and violations. These guidelines are crucial for ensuring the safety of both students and motorists on the road.

Motorists are frequently failing to obey common traffic rules, such as stopping at the “STOP” sign displayed by school buses. Violating this rule will result in a significant fine and addition of black points to the driver's licence.

To make things easier for you, here is a checklist of responsibilities for everyone on the road this school year!

Checklist for Vehicle Drivers

As a motorist driving around or near the school premises, you need to keep the following in mind–

• Stop completely when a school bus extends its stop sign arm.
• The rule applies to vehicles approaching from both directions on two-way roads.
• The minimum stopping distance from the bus is 5 m.
• Penalty for violations: AED 1,000 fine and 10 black points on the license.

Checklist for School Bus Drivers

Responsibilities for school bus drivers extend beyond just driving students to and from school. Here are some key responsibilities they need to follow –

• Assist students while boarding and alighting.
• Supervise students during the journey.
• Ensure no child gets left behind after the trip.

🚦Traffic-Related Rules for School Bus Drivers:

• Activate the stop arm only when students are present.
• Avoid stopping on highways, major roads, or public bus stops on main roads.
• Stop directly in front of students’ homes whenever possible to minimise traffic disruption.

Checklist for Students

Students also play a crucial role in ensuring their daily commute is safe. Here is how they can be helpful:

• Arrive at the bus stop 5 minutes before departure.
• Wait for the bus to come to a complete stop before boarding or leaving.
• Avoid distracting the driver during the trip.

Safety Starts With You!

As the new academic year begins, everyone on the road, be it a driver, a school bus driver, or a student, carries the responsibility to ensure traffic safety. Just by adhering to rules as simple as these, we can easily prevent accidents. So, follow traffic rules and stay alert on the road!