What must a driver do after an accident?
Article 5(1) of the Federal Decree-Law No. 14 of 2024 (Traffic Regulation) requires a driver to show licence and vehicle data and personal data on request, provide first aid to an injured person if they have the necessary knowledge, and report the accident to the police or the approved party within three hours unless there is an acceptable excuse for delay.
Staying and reporting is the best protection, even if you believe the other party was at fault.
What is the offence of fleeing the scene?
Article 38 punishes, when done deliberately, not stopping without an acceptable excuse when an accident causes injuries to people, a vehicle owner who fails to provide information that would reveal the circumstances or the responsible person, fleeing from police when they try to stop you or causing a chase, and deliberately colliding with traffic, military or security vehicles on duty.
The penalty is imprisonment of up to two years and a fine of not less than AED 50,000, or either.
Can I be arrested?
Yes. Traffic control authority members may arrest a driver caught committing a crime such as causing death or injury, causing serious damage to others' property, driving recklessly, or attempting to flee after an accident that harms a person or on an order to stop (Article 31).
Refusing to give your name, address or official document, or giving an incorrect one, is punished by imprisonment of up to three months and a fine of AED 10,000 to AED 20,000, or either (Article 41).
What defences exist?
That the stop was not possible for an acceptable reason, that no one was injured, that you did not know an accident had occurred, or that you were not the driver.
Camera footage, vehicle data and phone location records are usually decisive. Do not delete any of them.
What should I do first?
Stop, check others and call the police
Report within three hours at most.
Give your details when asked
Refusal is an offence.
Do not leave the scene
Even if the other driver leaves.
Call us before giving a statement
Intent and knowledge matter.
Call us on +971 50 653 1334 or message us on WhatsApp. We answer at any hour.
Frequently asked questions
How long do I have to report an accident?
Not more than three hours, unless there is an acceptable excuse (Article 5(1)(c)).
What is the penalty for leaving the scene?
Imprisonment of up to two years and a fine of not less than AED 50,000, or either (Article 38).
Is it an offence to flee from police?
Yes. Article 38 covers fleeing when police try to stop you or causing a chase.
Can the vehicle be seized?
Yes, in cases connected to a crime where it is necessary to seize it or present it as evidence (Article 32).
Related guides
Traffic Offences overview
The main points, the process and your first steps.
Read the overviewCausing Death by Driving
What the law says about a death caused by a driver's fault, the higher penalty in listed circumstances and the effect on the licence.
Read the guideReckless Driving
How the Traffic Regulation Law deals with reckless or dangerous driving, when a driver can be arrested and what the court can do to the licence.
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.
This page is general information, not legal advice.