Abu Dhabi Police has issued a fresh road-safety warning after releasing footage showing the hazards of reversing on busy roads, urging motorists never to back up if they miss an exit or turn.
In a statement released on Thursday, the force's Traffic and Security Patrols Directorate said sudden stops and reversing manoeuvres on live traffic lanes create confusion for approaching drivers and can trigger dangerous collisions, particularly near highway exits and turning lanes where traffic moves fast and visibility is limited.
"Sudden stopping and reversing on roads may lead to confusion among approaching drivers, and result in dangerous collisions," the directorate said.
Under UAE traffic law, reversing on a road without endangering others carries a Dh500 fine and four black points on the driver's licence. But if the manoeuvre is judged to put other road users' lives at risk, the penalty rises sharply to a Dh2,000 fine, 23 black points, and impoundment of the vehicle for 60 days.
Police advised drivers who miss their intended exit or turning to continue to the next available one rather than reversing, even over a short distance, and to loop back instead. Officials noted that the few seconds saved by reversing are not worth the risk of a rear-end collision caused by a sudden, unexpected stop in a fast-moving lane.
The warning is part of Abu Dhabi Police's ongoing road-safety awareness campaign, which periodically shares real footage of risky driving behaviour to discourage repeat offences. Authorities say reversing-related incidents remain a recurring cause of accidents on the emirate's busiest corridors, especially around exit ramps and merging points during peak traffic hours.