ABU DHABI: Police is Abu Dhabi has decided to impose fine on drivers who stop vehicles on undesignated roadside places to offer prayers. The police believe that such practices pose danger to them and other road users.
Officers in the United Arab Emirates capital say they see far too many drivers risking serious accidents by praying at the roadside.
Abu Dhabi’s police force issued an official warning that drivers stopping in disallowed locations would be fined 1,000 dharams (£190).
Deputy director of the city’s traffic department Salah Abdullah Al Humairi pointed out that devoted drivers could use mosques at a wide variety of locations.
He said prayer facilities could be found at roadside rest rooms, petrol stations and residential areas. There was therefore no need for any driver to risk their own safety and that of other road users by stopping in undesignated places to pray, he said.
The General Directorate of Abu Dhabi Police has launched an awareness campaign on the dangers of improper bus parking on the internal and external roads of the Emirate to enhance road safety.
The campaign has been because some bus drivers, who transport workers and other motorists, stop their vehicles on the side of the road for different purposes, including offering prayers, the police said.
Under an amended traffic law, stopping a vehicle on a junction or corner or failing to take safety precautions in the event of a breakdown are both punishable by a 500 AED (£95) fine.
Parking in a way that endangers other people can attract a fine of 400 AED (£76) Officers were particularly concerned about bus drivers leaving their large vehicles in inappropriate places for passengers to get out and pray.
Islam is the most prevalent religion in the UAE and it requires worshippers to pray five times a day – predawn, midday, afternoon, sunset and at night.
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