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.

Authorities in Abu Dhabi are reminding motorists to exercise extra caution when driving near schools, highlighting the risks posed by distractions and heavy traffic during peak hours.

Abu Dhabi Police stressed the importance of staying fully focused on the road, particularly during morning drop-offs and afternoon pick-ups, when congestion and pedestrian activity increase significantly.

Drivers have been advised to reduce speed, respect pedestrian crossings and come to a complete stop when school bus stop signs are displayed. Officials warned that using mobile phones or engaging in other distractions while driving can pose serious dangers to students and other road users.

Police also emphasised that road safety is a shared responsibility, calling on parents and the wider community to support safe driving practices and help create a secure environment around schools.

Authorities added that awareness and enforcement campaigns will continue as part of broader efforts to enhance road safety and community wellbeing across the emirate.

Authorities in Dubai have unveiled an extensive road development project aimed at easing congestion and significantly reducing travel times across some of the city’s busiest corridors.

The initiative, led by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), will focus on upgrading key routes, including Umm Suqeim Street, Al Wasl Road, and Al Safa Street, as well as improvements to seven major intersections along Jumeirah Street.

The project will feature a network of bridges and tunnels spanning approximately 11km, in addition to road widening works designed to increase traffic capacity and improve flow across the city.

Faster journeys on key routes

Upgrades to Al Wasl Road will extend 15km and include the construction of five tunnels, with travel times expected to drop by up to 50 per cent. Capacity along the route will increase from 8,000 to 12,000 vehicles per hour in both directions.

Meanwhile, improvements on Al Safa Street are set to dramatically cut journey times from 12 minutes to just three minutes. The plan includes two bridges and two tunnels, doubling road capacity to 12,000 vehicles per hour.

Expansion on Umm Suqeim Street

Six major intersections along Umm Suqeim Street will also be redeveloped, including links to Sheikh Zayed Road and Al Khail Road. The upgrades will include four bridges and two tunnels, alongside additional lanes and improved connections to surrounding areas.

Wider network improvements

The project also covers key junctions along Jumeirah Street, including intersections at Al Thanya Street, Al Manara Street, Umm Al Sheif Street, Al Urouba Street, 39B Street, Al Hudaiba Street and 2nd December Street.

Officials say the development is part of ongoing efforts to future-proof Dubai’s infrastructure, improve mobility and accommodate continued urban growth.