Abu Dhabi Police have issued a fresh warning against reversing on busy roads, releasing video footage of collisions caused by drivers who stop and reverse near exits or while changing lanes. The force said the practice usually happens when a driver misses an intended exit or realises a wrong turn, and instead of continuing to the next junction, stops abruptly in live traffic to reverse back.
Officials said such manoeuvres create confusion for approaching vehicles and, given typical highway speeds, can trigger dangerous rear-end or multi-vehicle collisions.
Under the penalties announced, a basic reversing violation carries a fine of Dh500 and four black points on the driver's licence. If the manoeuvre is classified as a serious violation — for instance if it causes an accident or happens in a particularly hazardous spot — the fine rises to Dh2,000, with 23 black points added and the vehicle impounded for 60 days.
Police urged motorists who miss an exit or take a wrong turn to never stop or reverse on the road itself. Instead, they should keep driving to the next available exit or junction and correct their route from there. The force stressed that sudden stops and reversing manoeuvres on fast-moving roads leave little reaction time for drivers behind, making the risk of a serious crash far higher than simply taking a longer route.
The warning is part of Abu Dhabi Police's ongoing road-safety campaign targeting high-risk driving behaviours on the emirate's busiest corridors. Such campaigns typically combine real dashcam or CCTV footage with public messaging to reinforce the deterrent effect of the fines.
Traffic safety specialists in the UAE have repeatedly noted that enforcement alone is not enough, and that driver education on highway etiquette — including what to do after missing an exit — remains essential to cutting preventable accidents.
Drivers across Abu Dhabi, especially on multi-lane highways, are advised to plan routes ahead of time and treat a missed exit as a minor inconvenience rather than a reason to risk an unsafe manoeuvre.