In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), driving while drunk is a serious offense that carries legal repercussions. The legal blood alcohol content (BAC) limit for drivers in the UAE is zero, which means that driving under the influence of alcohol is punishable by the UAE.
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What are the consequences of driving under the influence of alcohol according to the law of the UAE?
Driving while drunk is illegal in the UAE, and police officers are authorized to administer random breathalyzer tests to motorists to verify that the zero-tolerance policy is being followed. Driving under the influence (DUI) charges may be brought against a driver if it is discovered that they have any alcohol in their system while operating a vehicle.
In the UAE, these could be the results of driving while intoxicated:
- Strict fines:
Depending on the amount of alcohol in the driver’s system, the fine for driving while intoxicated in the UAE can be anywhere between AED 5,000 and AED 20,000.
- Retention:
If a driver is found to be drunk while operating a vehicle, they may receive a prison sentence. The sentence’s length, which can range from a few days to several months, will depend on how serious the offense was.
- Ban on driving:
If a driver is found guilty of operating a vehicle while drunk, their license may be revoked or suspended.
- Black points:
A driver who is found guilty of operating a vehicle while drunk in the UAE will receive black points on their driving record. A driver’s license may be suspended or revoked if it reaches a certain number of black points.
- Vehicle impounded:
A person driving under the influence of alcohol may have their car impounded for a while.
- Criminal history:
A criminal record may result from being found guilty of operating a vehicle while drunk, which may have long-term repercussions.
- Increased insurance costs:
A driver who has been found guilty of operating a vehicle while drunk may have to pay higher insurance premiums or may have trouble getting auto insurance in the future.
What are some widespread misconceptions about driving under the influence of alcohol in the United Arab Emirates?
It’s critical to clear up the following myths about drunk driving in the United Arab Emirates:
- “I can have one or two drinks and still drive safely.”
This is a harmful misconception because even a small amount of alcohol in your system can make it difficult for you to drive safely and raise your risk of an accident. Any amount of alcohol in your system while driving is illegal in the UAE because there is no legal blood alcohol content (BAC) limit for drivers there.
- “I can refuse a breathalyzer test without facing any consequences.”
That is untrue. In the UAE, refusing a breathalyzer test carries the same penalties as being found guilty of operating a vehicle while intoxicated, including fines, jail time, and a driving ban.
- “If I’m driving in my own neighborhood or on a quiet road, I can’t be charged with DUI.”
This is untrue as well. In the UAE, there is a zero-tolerance policy for drunk driving, and police officers have the right to randomly breathalyze drivers at any time.
- “If I only drink on the weekends or on special occasions, I won’t be caught.”
This is a dangerous misconception, as police officers can conduct random breath tests on drivers at any time, regardless of the day or time.
It’s crucial to keep in mind that driving under the influence of alcohol is punishable by the UAE with serious legal and social consequences.
