Dubai: To save a few seconds, you may end up endangering your life as well as that of other road users. Pedestrians in the UAE have several safe options available to cross roads, including pedestrian crossings, bridges and even smart walkways in Dubai, which light up to indicate when it is safe to cross.And, police authorities across the country have continued issuing advisories to residents and visitors to abide by the basic traffic laws that ensure roads remain safe for all road users.Here are the basic UAE rules and laws that you need to be aware of as a pedestrian.Jaywalking – fine of AED 400The first rule to remember as a pedestrian is to cross only from designated areas – crossing from undesignated areas, which is referred to as jaywalking, can lead to a minimum fine of AED 400, with more serious penalties applied in cases where a person is found endangering lives.Dh10,000 fine and jail in serious casesThe UAE’s traffic law – Federal Decree-Law No. (14) of 2024, which came into force in March 2025, also introduced significantly tougher punishments for serious pedestrian violations. Article 7 (4) of the law states that pedestrians bear any civil or criminal liability resulting from failure to comply with this law.Under the law, pedestrians who cross roads with from a non-designated location on a road with a speed limit of 80km/h or more may receive:Minimum three months in jailFine of at least Dh10,000Or both penaltiesThose who cross illegally and cause a traffic accident may also face:Imprisonment and/orFines ranging from Dh5,000 to Dh10,000Additional legal liability may also arise if injuries, deaths or property damage are caused.Motorists’ responsibilityThe Federal Traffic Law also places responsibility on motorists to ensure they drive in a way that does not endanger pedestrians.Article 5(1) of the UAE Traffic Law states that drivers are obliged to slow down at pedestrian crossings, and stop until pedestrians who have started to cross the road have crossed.Article 7 also states that motorists should ensure the safety of pedestrians on and off the road, especially in residential, commercial and recreational areas, places of worship, and educational and health institutions.Neither pedestrians nor motorists are allowed to stop in the middle of a road.Fines for motoristsMinisterial Resolution No. 178 of 2017 on Rules and Procedures of Traffic Control list the following fines that are applicable on motorists for violating pedestrian safety:Blocking the pedestrian crossing – AED 500Stopping a vehicle in a way that endangers pedestrians or stopping a vehicle in a way that blocks the pedestrians’ movement – AED 400Not giving priority to pedestrians on pedestrians’ crossings – AED 500 fine, 6 black pointsPedestrian guidelinesIn April this year, a pedestrian in Dubai sustained minor injuries as a result of jaywalking, prompting Dubai Police to issue a fresh advisory urging pedestrians to abide by basic road safety behaviours, including:Crossing roads at designated areas.Using pedestrian bridges and tunnels.Obeying pedestrian traffic signals.Avoiding crossing high-speed roads from undesignated locations.Last year, Dubai Police announced that in just the first five months of 2025, the force had issued 28,027 fines for jaywalking, in response to the urgent need to curb unsafe behaviours. Improper crossings and e-scooter misuse led to 13 fatalities during this period, according to the police.
