Stricter penalties for blocking emergency vehicles now in effect

From today, stiffer penalties are in effect for motorists in the UAE who don’t give way to emergency vehicles.

Motorists will now be fined AED 3,000 if they don't let vehicles like ambulances through on the road.

They'll also be slapped with six black points and have their car impounded for 30 days.

Under the previous law, the penalty was AED 1,000 and half a dozen black points.

Earlier, Sharjah Police rolled out a new system that alerts motorists about an approaching emergency or patrol vehicle on their car radio.

Drivers will also be warned if there’s a vehicle parked in front of them or if they need to stop for a police car while approaching the intersection.