The emirates announces the new road driving law and its implementation date
Recent legislation in the United Arab Emirates increased the maximum weight limit for heavy vehicles that are allowed to travel on national roads to 65 tonnes. The new federal law, which was declared to be effective on September 4, will begin its implementation on October 1.
How many commercial trucks will be required to comply with this new law? Will there be a period of time during which trucking companies can change their operations to comply with the new rule? What are the sanctions that can be imposed by the administration? What do you hope to accomplish with this new regulation for the roads?
In what situations does the new regulation apply?
Heavy-duty vehicles are those that, when empty, weigh more than 2.5 metric tonnes. These are the rules that are generally followed. These vehicles may be employed for the transportation of either products or persons and may include prime movers, semi-trailers, combination trailers, articulated trucks, and articulated truck combinations.
The Minister of Energy and Infrastructure (MoEI) has provided an estimate stating that the new federal rule will apply to 200,000 heavy vehicles. This number includes trucks that cross international borders. Heavy vehicles that are owned by governmental security, military, police, or civil defence agencies are exempt from this regulation.
The Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure found that 28% of all current truckloads in the country carry more than 65 tonnes.
What are the latest guidelines for driving on the road?
Recently, the UAE Cabinet, which is chaired by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai, accepted the change, which sets the permitted maximum weight of heavy vehicles at 65 tonnes.
The new federal law will begin to be enforced beginning October 1 of this year, as was previously announced on September 4. On the other hand, heavy vehicle owners and companies will be given a grace period of four months to adjust to the new rule before administrative penalties begin to be imposed on February 1, 2024. The four-month grace period beginning in October 2023 and ending in February 2024 will be utilised to educate transport businesses about the regulations during that time.
What is the most important goal that the new law aims to accomplish?
During a news conference held on September 13, Suhail bin Mohammed Al Mazrouei, who serves as the Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, emphasised that the law is intended to improve the infrastructure, transportation, and logistics sectors in the UAE. In addition to this, it will help the national economy and assist the efforts that the government is making to make sure that the country's infrastructure is one of the most secure and technologically advanced in the world.
It is anticipated that the most recent regulation will lower the number of fatalities that occur on roads by fifty percent for every one hundred thousand individuals. Increasing the level of road safety is a priority for the United Arab Emirates (UAE), considering that studies indicate that truck accidents account for 62% of fatalities on the country's roads. In addition, the new law would save annual costs for road maintenance by Dh200 million and will cut carbon emissions by five billion kg by 2032. These reductions will take place over the next decade. The lifespan of paved streets will also rise by fifty percent as a result of this improvement.
What are the consequences of going above the maximum weight that's allowed?
Regarding the specifics of the penalty, no announcements have been made as of yet. During the grace period of four months, however, the UAE cabinet will publish a resolution that will describe the permitted maximum total and axle weights, charts of dimensions, a list of violations and administrative penalties, and other related information. Al Mazrouei was also included.
On February 1, 2024, the full execution of the law, together with the appropriate penalties for violators, will come into effect. In addition, by the end of the year 2024, an analysis of the effects that the law had during the first year that it was in effect will have been carried out.
