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Inside the Middle East
August 14, 2012
Posted: 2157 GMT

In a city like Dubai where radars are almost in every corner, getting an occasional speeding ticket is very common.

But a Bangladeshi woman living in the UAE has received more than 250 traffic fines in just 3 months.

According to this article in Dubai based, Gulf News, the fines accumulated over the past few months and reached $54,000 most of which were speeding tickets. Traffic violations usually cost between $163 and $272.

The  police says the record was broken in the past by a Saudi man who had to pay more than $100,000 worth of traffic tickets.

In cases like this, the police department cancels the driver's license and the car's registry.

Violators are allowed to pay the fines in installments., but so far the woman has not come forward to pay her fines.

Dubai Police releases a list of the top 10 traffic violators every six months.

The second on the list wasn’t far off behind, a Syrian woman has received 288 fines ranking second with a bill worth just over $50,000.

Although two women topped the list, police says men are considered more serious violators than women.

The 500 or more radars spread across the city helped reduce the death rate of car accidents.

In 2008, 294 people died as a result of car accidents, but the number was lower last year.

According to Dubai Police, 134 people died as a result of car accidents in 2011. Police revealed that an approximate of 2.3 million traffic fines are issued per year in Dubai.

The list for the second quarter of 2012 showed that out of the ten top violators, five were Emaratis.

Speeding and not leaving enough space between cars are common violations on the streets in the UAE.

In 2008, 200 or so cars crashed into each other in what became one of  the biggest car accidents in the history of the UAE.

Police at the time said fog and cars driving so close to each other resulted in the crash.

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Filed under: Dubai •General •UAE


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fair view   August 16th, 2012 2:53 am ET

it should not have reached that level. they shyould have revoked her right to drive or to own a car and send her a letter to pay the first fines or go to jail

Me   August 16th, 2012 12:57 pm ET

See what happens when they have a "SALE" at the malls...LOLOL

Ann   August 17th, 2012 5:37 pm ET

why isn't CNN reporting on Al Qud's Day? But $54K traffic fines, and "the world's most expensive cupcake" are worthy of mention. Does CNN even know how to spell censorship?

whatever   August 19th, 2012 1:55 am ET

People who are not from their should have to pay their tickets at the time of the offense or jail, problem solved..

warsteiner   August 19th, 2012 12:40 pm ET

Why would they not impound her car and take her driver license away. Driving is not a right, And her car is going to kill someone. She obviously thinks little about anyone but herself. What happens when she run a child over. She is not a responsible drive at all so she needs a lesson in humility

MSH   August 22nd, 2012 10:10 pm ET

I live in Dubai. Although I agree people driving very dangerously there ( not everyone of course) but I also know there so called traffic or speeding cameras are not always accurate. By the way, over there When you get a speeding ticket you will get a SMS saying that but if it was a car before or after you and their camera caught you by mistake or ... no one will listen to you and all you will hear is to : PAY ..

Steve Wonder   August 24th, 2012 5:33 pm ET

Very Important lady who needs to get from shopping mall to shopping mall before sales end.

Ahmed Ahmadie   August 24th, 2012 5:34 pm ET

In Dubai the fine is on the car not the person.

desert voice   August 26th, 2012 10:20 am ET

Women need a husband who enforces good behavior. Else, they will continue to accummulate "faults"!

JohnathanA   September 7th, 2012 3:57 pm ET

The last time I was in the UAE, I noticed that the Emeratis were allowed to speed, park anywhere and drive dangerously with impunity. I felt that my life was threatened everytime I crossed the street even though I crossed at marked crossings.
I am sure that this is why the Emeratis are not top of the list.

Abe   September 18th, 2012 6:11 pm ET

Why are the numbers of tickets owed by someone reaching that high in the first place?
1. There needs to be a law that if you reach a certain amount of $ you're suspended from driving for a a year or something.
If you're caught still driviing then a heavy heavy fine and/or prison for a year, and/or lose the licence permanently.
2. A law which sets a clear deadline for when you have to pay your fines. If you're a month late, then the fine grows by the day.
If 6 months pass by then you lose your licence for a year.

Peter Love   September 20th, 2012 1:45 pm ET

Most of the GCC countires are very biased. They openly favour on wrong things to their nationals. Even the labour laws are made in favour of the local employers. Which equates to salvery.Eeverybody who lives there knew this.

Worst thing, there is still unrest in there population.

Ali   September 23rd, 2012 1:46 pm ET

Unpaid speeding tickets???

In this part of the world employees are treated inhumanely. Domestic workers (house maids) are beaten up, unpaid, abused, etc by some employers. Even the law enforcement don't protect victims. Human rights don't exist.

Hassan   September 23rd, 2012 6:54 pm ET

In this part of the world employees are treated inhumanely.
House maids are beaten up, unpaid, abused, etc by some employers.
Even the law enforcement don't protect victims.
Human rights don't exist here.

naveed   October 8th, 2012 5:29 pm ET

i am muslam

home auto insurance company ratings   November 7th, 2012 2:02 am ET

Fantastic web site. A lot of useful information here. I am sending it to some pals ans also sharing in delicious. And certainly, thanks to your sweat!


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