On Sunday, the Dubai Police seized 1,230 vehicles and issued over 33,000 traffic fines as part of its ongoing efforts to enhance the quality of life in the city. The move was also aimed at reinforcing community safety and reducing traffic-related disturbances in residential areas.Violations included 1,178 cases of unauthorised modifications to vehicle engines or chassis, 412 for noise disturbance, 341 for reckless driving endangering lives and property and 230 related to misuse of vehicle horns or audio systems causing, public nuisance. The campaign also recorded 17,117 violations including motorcycles and 14,094 related to electric bikes and bicycles, highlighting the scale of enforcement targeting behaviours that affect public peace and threaten the safety of road users. Brigadier Jumaa Salem bin Suwaidan, Director of the General Department of Traffic at Dubai Police confirmed that the initiative aligns with the authority’s objectives to preserve public peace and improve the overall sense of safety. “The campaign was launched in response to recurring negative traffic behaviours observed in certain residential neighbourhoods, including excessive noise, reckless driving, and illegal vehicle modifications, all of which directly impact residents’ comfort and wellbeing,” he said.The initiative adopts a data-driven approach where complaints and community reports are analysed to identify hotspots and recurring violation patterns. It is a part of the government’s ‘Quiet Roads’ initiative that focuses on reducing noise, reckless driving and illegal vehicle modifications that affect safety and quality of life, as per authorities. The brigadier stressed that Dubai Police will continue implementing specialised, data-led initiatives that rely on analysis and community engagement to strengthen traffic safety. He also urged members of the public to report negative behaviour through official channels. A similar crackdown on disturbance by noisy vehicles and reckless driving has been going on in UAE on a larger scale. Previously, Abu Dhabi had warned motorists of strict penalties for reckless driving, opening doors while the vehicle is in motion and filming social media videos on the road. Under the UAE traffic regulations, these acts could lead to a fine of Dh2,000 along with 23 black points on the driver’s license. Moreover, vehicles with excessive noise face a Dh2,000 fine and a deduction of 12 black points from the license, if found violating the law. When the country is battling regional tensions and ensuring the continuation of the supply chain to assure residents of normalcy, such incidents endanger the peace and quality of life in UAE. In some incidents, residents have reported assuming they were under attack due to the noise from modified vehicles. Thus the crackdown by police in these areas is vital for public safety and security.
