Dubai: A reckless Emirati driver ended up paying Dubai Traffic Police AED100,000 just to release his vehicle from the impound, police records state.
His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai had issued a decree in August 2015, granting Dubai Police the authority to directly impound the vehicles of street racers.
Since the new rule came into effect, police have shown a zero-tolerance policy towards reckless drivers. They reportedly confiscated 1,226 vehicles in 2016.
Colonel Jamal Al Banai, Deputy Director of Dubai Traffic Police, said that one biker had to pay AED50,000 to have his motorbike released after he was caught driving on a pavement.
According to police records for 2016, 31 motorists participated in illegal street races, and 325 vehicles were seized due to reckless driving.
Around 24 motorists also had their vehicles seized while they attempted to flee from police and avoid paying the hefty fines.
"We recorded 281 motorists that were booked at the scene, while 945 had their driving behavior noted down and were booked at a later date," said Col Al Banai.
He added that almost 50 per cent of drivers have filed objections against having their vehicles categorized under the new decree.