No fines for “emergency parking” on the “shoulder of the road.”

The Director of the Traffic and Security Patrols Directorate at Abu Dhabi Police, Brigadier Mahmoud Yousef Al Balushi, confirmed in a special statement to Emirates Today that parking resulting from emergency breakdowns, or justified transit parking in the “shoulder of the road” area does not result in a traffic violation being registered against the driver.

He pointed out that although there is no violation for parking in that area in cases of breakdowns, drivers must avoid this behavior as much as possible, explaining that parking on the shoulder of the road constitutes an extreme danger, as many tragic “rear-end collision” accidents occur due to vehicles stopping on this vital path.

He pointed out that in the event of overtaking from the shoulder of the road, vehicles will be ticketed, because the shoulder of the road is designated for emergency vehicles, police, ambulances, and quick temporary emergency parking in the shortest period of time, and in the event of tire explosions, one must exit to the nearest safe parking lot, not on the shoulder of the road, adding that it was observed that vehicles were parked to wait, and this poses a danger to them and to road users.

He called on drivers, when they feel any malfunction in their vehicle, to look for the nearest exit or a completely safe place away from the main right-of-way, with the aim of their personal safety first, and to leave the path clear for ambulances and rapid intervention vehicles to ensure smooth access to extreme emergency situations.

Readers interacted with video clips recently broadcast by Abu Dhabi Police through its digital platforms, showing serious real accidents that occurred with vehicles parked on the “shoulder of the road,” while readers’ opinions differed about the responsibility of the owner of the parked vehicle in the accident? And is it permissible to fine him for parking on the shoulder of the road in cases of emergencies or vehicle breakdowns? Brigadier General Mahmoud Yousef Al Balushi revealed a common misconception among a large segment of drivers regarding the “shoulder of the road,” which is the planned area after the yellow line, as he stressed that It is not a place designated for walking or passing through.

He warned that driving or crossing the shoulder of the road for any reason exposes the driver to a fine of 1,000 dirhams and the registration of six traffic points on his licence, stressing that this behavior poses a serious danger to the lives of the driver and other road users.