Abu Dhabi Police are urging motorists to switch off their engines and take their keys whenever leaving their vehicles, warning that even brief stops can increase the risk of theft, fires and other safety hazards.

The advisory applies to drivers stopping at shops, petrol stations, ATMs or mosques, where some motorists continue to leave vehicles unattended with the engine running.

Safety risks

Police said leaving a running vehicle unattended creates an opportunity for theft and could also lead to mechanical problems or fire-related incidents.

Motorists were also reminded never to leave children, especially infants, inside a running vehicle, describing the practice as a serious threat to their safety.

Traffic laws

Abu Dhabi Police also highlighted that UAE traffic laws prohibit leaving an unattended vehicle with its engine running.

Drivers who fail to comply with traffic rules and official instructions can face a Dh500fine under the Federal Traffic Law.

Authorities urged motorists to adopt safe habits by turning off the engine, removing the key and locking the vehicle every time they step away, no matter how briefly.

Passengers travelling through Dubai International Airport (DXB) can now check if they’re eligible to use Smart Gates before reaching passport control.

Dubai Airports has introduced the new Smart Gates Pre-Eligibility Verification service in partnership with the General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) to make immigration faster and reduce waiting times.

How it works

Travellers can instantly verify their Smart Gate eligibility through the Pocket Flights platform or by scanning QR codes placed across airport terminals and boarding gates.

The service lets passengers know in advance whether they can use the automated passport gates, helping them avoid uncertainty at immigration.

Faster airport experience

Dubai Airports says the new feature is part of its ongoing efforts to streamline passenger journeys and improve the overall airport experience.

By allowing travellers to confirm eligibility before reaching passport control, the airport aims to speed up immigration processing and make travel through DXB more seamless for millions of passengers each year.

A Dubai-based robotics team has become the first from the UAE to win an international FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) Premier Event, marking a major milestone for the country’s growing STEM and robotics ecosystem.

Team ORBIT secured a historic double victory at the FTC İstanbul Premier Event, held in Türkiye from June 26 to 28, winning both the Valens Division Winning Alliance title and the prestigious Overall Event Winning Alliance championship against 77 of the world’s top robotics teams.

The achievement is particularly notable as Team ORBIT was formed just six months ago. After qualifying through the UAE National Championship, the rookie team travelled to Istanbul and outperformed some of the world’s most established robotics programmes.

“This is a historic moment not only for Team ORBIT but for the UAE robotics community as a whole,” said Banson Thomas, Chief Mentor of Team ORBIT.

“For a rookie team to achieve this on an international stage is a testament to the dedication, talent and determination of our students. We hope this success inspires more young people across the UAE to pursue robotics and innovation.”

The Dubai team

The team comprised students from schools across Dubai, reflecting the emirate’s diverse education landscape. Members included Abhiram Krishna (Al Saad Indian School), Arav Bahuguna (Jumeirah College), Aaron Jain (Dubai International Academy Al Barsha), Amra Marikkar (The Apple International School), Aryan Goyal (Dubai International Academy Emirates Hills), Daniel Bource (Lycée Français International Georges Pompidou), Sai Murugappan (Gulf Modern Academy), Hriday Navin (GEMS Modern Academy), Omar Nabil Lahir (GEMS Modern Academy), Sana Kaushik (Pristine Private School Dubai), Aarav Dewan (Dubai International Academy Emirates Hills) and Chanukya Teketi (Pearl Wisdom School Dubai).

Throughout the competition, ORBIT impressed judges and competitors alike with its engineering design, strategic gameplay and teamwork, delivering consistently strong performances in both the qualification and elimination rounds.

The FTC İstanbul Premier Event is regarded as one of the most competitive competitions on the global FIRST Tech Challenge calendar, bringing together leading teams that have advanced through national and regional championships.

“The UAE has built a strong foundation for STEM education and innovation,” said Ali Abdurahman, Head Coach of Team ORBIT.

“This achievement reflects the opportunities available to young talent in the country and demonstrates that UAE students can compete with the very best in the world.”

The victory was the culmination of months of hard work.

“Six months ago, this team was just an idea. Today, we have created history for the UAE. Our resilience, teamwork and commitment have been extraordinary, and we believe this is only the beginning of an exciting journey ahead,” said the team captain.

The victory marks the first time a UAE team has won an FTC Premier Event, underscoring the country’s growing investment in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education and its ambition to develop the next generation of innovators.