What is the offence?
Article 40 of the Federal Decree-Law No. 14 of 2024 (Traffic Regulation) punishes whoever, by their own fault, causes the death of a person as a result of using a vehicle on the road with imprisonment and a fine of not less than AED 50,000, or either of these penalties.
The offence is based on fault, which is the Crimes and Penalties Law's notion of error: negligence, lack of precaution, recklessness or breaking rules (Article 39 of that law).
When is the penalty higher?
Imprisonment of not less than one year and a fine of not less than AED 100,000, or either, if the fault is due to exceeding the red light, driving under the influence of alcohol or narcotic or psychotropic substances, driving with a suspended or cancelled licence, or driving in a valley while floods are running.
Fleeing the scene is a separate offence under Article 38, and the combination of offences makes the case far more serious.
What happens to the licence?
The court may suspend the licence for up to three years and bar renewal for up to two further years (Article 42).
Traffic control authority members can arrest a driver caught causing death or injury while driving (Article 31(1)).
What does the defence examine?
Who was at fault, speed, road and weather conditions, vehicle condition, the behaviour of other road users and any pedestrian crossing in a prohibited place.
Article 7(4) places civil and criminal liability on pedestrians who cross roads with speed limits above 80 km/h, which can matter in some cases. Compensation under the Crimes and Penalties Law's Diya provisions can also be relevant.
What should I do first?
Stay, help and report
First aid and report within three hours.
Do not leave or move the vehicle unless told
Evidence matters.
Gather dashcam and witness details
Immediately.
Call us before any statement
Your account of fault is central.
Call us on +971 50 653 1334 or message us on WhatsApp. We answer at any hour.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum fine?
AED 50,000, or imprisonment, or both (Article 40).
When is it at least one year in prison?
Where the fault is a red light, influence of alcohol or drugs, a suspended or cancelled licence, or driving in a flooding valley.
Can I lose my licence?
Yes, the court may suspend it for up to three years (Article 42).
Can a pedestrian be liable?
Yes in the cases in Article 7(4).
Related guides
Traffic Offences overview
The main points, the process and your first steps.
Read the overviewDUI
What the Traffic Regulation Law says about driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, the fines and prison terms, and how the licence is affected.
Read the guideHit and Run
What a driver must do after an accident, the offence of fleeing the scene and the duty to give information.
Read the guideSources
Source: Federal Decree-Law No. 14 of 2024 (Traffic Regulation), official English text on the UAE Legislation portal, checked 9 October 2026. The portal lists the law as active, in force from 29 March 2025. The Arabic text prevails over translations. Source: Federal Decree-Law No. 31 of 2021 (Crimes and Penalties Law), official English text on the UAE Legislation portal, checked 9 October 2026. The portal lists the law as active and last updated on 7 September 2026. The Arabic text prevails over translations.
This page is general information, not legal advice.