Abu Dhabi authorities have implemented stringent traffic enforcement measures as students return to classrooms following the winter break. Motorists failing to halt for school buses displaying active stop signs now face substantial penalties: a 1,000-dirham fine and 10 black points on their driving records.
The Abu Dhabi Police Directorate has reinforced road safety protocols requiring all drivers to come to a complete stop when school buses extend their side-mounted stop signs. This critical safety measure aims to protect children during boarding and disembarking procedures.
Traffic regulations specify distinct stopping requirements based on road configuration. On single-lane roadways, vehicles traveling in both directions must maintain a minimum stopping distance of five meters from the bus. On multi-lane roads with divided directions, only motorists moving in the same direction as the bus are obligated to stop.
The enforcement strategy incorporates automated monitoring systems to detect violations, ensuring consistent compliance with the safety regulations. This technological approach eliminates reliance on manual enforcement alone.
The safety initiative coincides with the resumption of academic activities across the United Arab Emirates, with over one million students returning to educational institutions following the implementation of the new unified academic calendar. This return marks the conclusion of the nation’s first extended winter break under the revised academic scheduling system.
Concurrently, educational authorities are preparing families for forthcoming adjustments to Friday school schedules and admission processes for the 2026-2027 academic year, modifications designed to accommodate revised prayer timings across the Emirates.