Fines Await for Untimely Decor in Sharjah

The Time for National Holiday Decorations is Over: Fines Await Those Who Fail to Remove Stickers in Sharjah

The 54th National Day of the United Arab Emirates, Eid Al Etihad, sparked great enthusiasm among the country's residents – particularly evident in the decoration of cars and motorcycles. Streets in Sharjah were filled with vehicles adorned with national colors, flags, and even custom designs, representing a spectacular manifestation of unity, pride, and celebration for many.

However, now that the festive weekend is over, Sharjah authorities have sent a clear message to car owners: failure to remove holiday stickers and decorative elements may result in fines.

Deadline: December 6

The Sharjah Police issued an official statement emphasizing that all vehicle owners are required to remove decorations related to the national holiday by December 6. Those who continue to drive with these stickers, flags, or other visual elements on the roads after this date will be committing an offense and can expect a monetary fine.

This move is unsurprising after police demonstrated strict action during the holiday weekend, withdrawing 106 cars and 9 motorcycles from circulation for serious traffic violations committed by their drivers.

Why Remove the Decorations?

While a flag or a colorful sticker on the side of a car may seem harmless at first, the authorities' arguments are compelling:

Decorations can impair visibility: stickers placed on the front windshield or side windows can obstruct the driver’s view.

They can create false safety perceptions: some decorative elements may create misleading light effects or reflections, especially at night.

They can distract other road users: loud music, honking, flashing lights, or overly conspicuous designs can often cause unease among other drivers.

Extensive decoration becomes an offense: what is overlooked during festive times can be punishable the next day.

More Than Just Stickers

The statement also noted that many of the vehicles seized in recent days were not only problematic due to decorations but also due to more serious offenses, including:

Excessive noise creation – such as manipulating the exhaust system, playing loud music, constant honking

Reckless and dangerous driving – such as drifting, sudden lane changes, speeding

Invalid licenses – some drivers were caught with expired or non-existent licenses.

These are not only offences but also endanger others’ lives, and cannot be excused by celebration.

Trends in Decoration Are Changing

Interestingly, while car decoration remains popular, a new trend was observed this year. Increasingly, residents chose more refined, elegant forms of decoration instead of the previously prevalent loud ones. Decoration shops and custom vehicle design workshops reported high turnover, although demand shifted towards tasteful, understated yet nationally prideful solutions.

This change may indicate that people want to express patriotism, but not necessarily through flashy appearances, opting for a more cultured, harmonious approach. This is undoubtedly positive, especially considering traffic safety aspects.

What Happens If We Don’t Remove Them?

According to the police statement, during inspections after the deadline, any vehicle owners who have not removed holiday decorations will face fines. Vehicles may even be withdrawn from circulation, especially if other offences occur (such as speeding, drifting, loud noise, etc.).

The exact amount of the fine has not been disclosed, but based on similar past incidents, it could amount to several hundred dirhams.

What Should Vehicle Owners Do?

The most important step is to ensure that all stickers, flags, and decorative elements related to the national holiday are removed by December 6. If these were applied with adhesive or films, it might be wise to hire a professional service for removal to avoid damaging the paintwork.

For those who acquired the elements from a rental or decoration store, a return option may be available, preventing total loss on the expense.

Summary

Eid Al Etihad is an important and proud moment for everyone living in the UAE. However, the holiday period is over, and it's time to return to regular order, including adherence to traffic rules. Sharjah's authorities sent a clear message: celebration does not exempt anyone from the responsibility of using vehicles appropriately.

Anyone still driving with decorations should remove them as soon as possible, not just to avoid a fine, but also for the sake of traffic safety. Following the rules is not only a legal duty but also an expression of respect for the community.

(Source of the article is a statement from Sharjah police.)