Motorists in Sharjah are being reminded to stay put after any accident, no matter how minor.
Sharjah Police has issued a fresh warning that leaving the scene of a collision, even a small scratch or low-speed bump, can lead to serious legal and financial consequences.
As part of a new awareness campaign, authorities stressed that every traffic accident must be reported, regardless of how insignificant it may seem. What some drivers consider a harmless parking lot scrape is officially treated as a hit-and-run if they drive away without reporting it.
The reminder comes as officials aim to clear up a common misunderstanding, many motorists assume minor incidents in residential areas or parking spaces don’t need to be reported. According to police, that’s simply not the case.
Under current traffic rules, leaving the scene of a minor accident can result in a Dh500 fine, eight black points on a driver’s record, and vehicle impoundment for seven days. Release fees can go up to Dh5,000, and repeated violations may even lead to licence suspension.
To drive the message home, police released an awareness video showing how quickly small accidents can happen in tight spaces like parking lots and narrow streets, and how easily they can turn into bigger legal issues when drivers fail to stop.
Authorities are urging motorists to stay at the scene, check on everyone involved, and report the incident through official channels, including the police app or by calling 901 for non-emergency situations.
In the end, officials emphasise that reporting an accident right away is the safest and simplest option, helping resolve matters quickly while avoiding penalties that can far outweigh the original incident.