A driver in Abu Dhabi has been sentenced to six months in jail and fined Dh100,000 for driving against the flow of traffic. The Abu Dhabi Judicial Department confirmed the penalties, which also included vehicle confiscation and a three-year suspension of the driver's licence.
Driving in the wrong direction can create an immediate danger for other motorists. Vehicles coming from the opposite direction may have very little time to react, increasing the risk of a serious crash.
The punishment also included the confiscation of the vehicle and a three-year suspension of the driver's licence. Along with the prison sentence and a Dh100,000 fine, these measures show the serious consequences that can follow a major traffic offence in Abu Dhabi.
Wrong-way driving can be particularly dangerous on busy roads because approaching drivers may have very little time to react. A vehicle travelling against traffic can increase the risk of a serious collision, putting multiple road users in danger.