New traffic laws

With a great fanfare, new traffic laws were introduced at the beginning of the month. Fines have been increased and there is now a 'black points' system which means that you can lose your licence for a while. According to the Chief of Police the new system will reduce traffic accidents and make roads safer for motorists and pedestrians. However, the black points are not as bad as the UK point system and are even reset every year. For example, I'm ashamed to say that I have had 5 speeding fines in the past year from cameras. A couple of these are for travelling in excess of 100mph on my regular trip to Abu Dhabi. Believe me, it's not like I'm anywhere near the fastest on the road and the speed limit is 100mph. In the UK I would have received a ban. In the new system I wouldn't get any black points for these offences - just a 200 Dhs (30 quid) fine.

I've seen how much difference this new law has made in the Emirates. Precisely none. Idiotic driving carries on as normal. The worst crash since I've been here happened this morning. Over 200 cars involved in a huge pile up in fog on the way from Dubai to Abu Dhabi. 141 injuries and 8 fatalities. All depressingly familiar and predictable. This video gives an idea of the carnage.