As schools across the UAE prepare to reopen on Monday, August 25, authorities have rolled out an ambitious traffic safety campaign aimed at easing congestion and reducing accidents. Drivers who maintain safe, rule-abiding behaviour on the first day of the academic year can have four black points removed from their driving record—part of the Ministry of Interior’s annual “Accident-Free Day” initiative.
TL;DR:
- Drive safe on August 25 (first day of school), avoid any traffic violation.
- Sign up online on the Ministry of Interior’s website to take the safety pledge.
- Get 4 black points removed from your driving license if you follow all rules that day.
Safer roads for a busy school day
With over one million students expected to return to classrooms across the UAE on August 25, traffic volume is projected to spike significantly. To address this, the Federal Traffic Council has relaunched its annual Accident-Free Day campaign—encouraging drivers to uphold safety standards and avoid road incidents.Motorists who avoid violations or accidents throughout that Monday can qualify for a deduction of four black points from their driving license by September 15. To participate, drivers must log into the Ministry of Interior’s website and sign a digital safety pledge.This initiative is part of the UAE’s broader strategy to promote responsible driving habits and reduce traffic-related injuries and fatalities, especially during peak congestion times like the start of the school year.Brigadier Engineer Hussein Al Harthi, Chairman of the Federal Traffic Council at the Ministry of Interior, emphasized the importance of such campaigns, stating:“We are keen to launch campaigns to boost traffic safety by encouraging positive behaviours among drivers. This requires the co-operation of all members of society, including drivers and pedestrians.”
The traffic safety pledge, what drivers commit to
Drivers taking part in the campaign are required to agree to a clear set of safety commitments. The pledge is designed to reinforce key traffic behaviours that enhance road safety and protect vulnerable groups, particularly schoolchildren.The Accident-Free Day pledge includes:
- Maintaining a safe distance from the vehicle ahead
- Yielding to pedestrians at crossings
- Always wearing a seatbelt
- Adhering to posted speed limits
- Avoiding use of handheld mobile phones while driving
- Giving way to emergency vehicles, police, public service vehicles, and official convoys
The aim is not only to ease the traffic burden on a busy day but also to encourage long-term behavioural change among road users
Understanding black points and penalties
In the UAE, black points serve as a system of penalties for serious traffic violations. Accumulating 24 black points within 12 months can lead to a suspension of the driver’s license, with the duration based on the severity of infractions. In addition to black points, violations can also result in hefty fines, vehicle impoundment, and daily impoundment fees of Dh100.Examples of violations and corresponding penalties include:
Building a culture of responsibility
The campaign serves as a nationwide reminder of the dangers of unsafe driving—particularly in and around school zones.Colonel Engineer Hussein Ahmed Al Harithi, Chairman of the Federal Traffic Council, stated that the broader vision is to enhance traffic awareness, protect lives, and preserve property.The timing of Accident-Free Day, on the first day of the academic year—is no coincidence. It is both a practical and symbolic effort to embed safety awareness into everyday driving, starting with one of the most congested days of the year.
FAQs
1: How do I sign up for Accident-Free Day? Visit the Ministry of Interior’s website and sign the digital safety pledge.2: What’s the reward for participating? If you drive safely without violations on August 25, four black points will be removed from your driving record by September 15.3: What counts as a violation? Anything from speeding, phone use while driving, not wearing a seatbelt, to not yielding to school buses or pedestrians.
