Red Light Violation Costs Ex-Taxi Driver Dearly

Ran Red Light, Owes Former Employer 51,450 Dirhams

Another cautionary legal outcome has emerged in the United Arab Emirates for those who violate traffic rules and neglect to pay their fines. The Abu Dhabi Labour Court has ordered a former taxi driver to reimburse his former employer 51,450 dirhams after accumulating significant traffic fines by running a red light, which the employer was eventually forced to pay.

How Did the Case Start?

The driver committed the offense during his employment: he ignored the red light at a busy intersection, resulting in a 3,000 dirham fine. However, the story does not end there. Since the fine was not paid in time, additional delay charges, administrative fees, and other penalties increased the total amount. The company eventually paid a total of 51,450 dirhams, which included the 3,000 dirham fine, a 50,000 dirham penalty surcharge, and 1,450 dirhams related to transportation fees.

The Court Proceedings

The employer, after repeatedly not receiving the reimbursed sum, filed a lawsuit against the driver. The lawsuit demanded the repayment of 51,450 dirhams, as well as 5% late payment interest from the date of filing the claim and reimbursement of legal costs.

The court examined the employment contract, payrolls, and submitted receipts, which made it clear that the driver was indeed employed by the company under a fixed-term contract, and that the company had indeed settled all fines with the authorities.

Legal Basis of the Decision

The judgment referred to the first article of the so-called Evidence Law, which states that the claimant is responsible for substantiating their claims, while the defendant has the opportunity to refute them. In this case, all necessary documentation was submitted by the company, making the court consider the claim justified, and it ordered the former employee to repay the full amount.

Why Is This Case Important?

This case highlights that violating traffic rules can lead to not only fines but also significant financial consequences—especially if the offense occurs during work hours with a company vehicle. Companies rightfully expect their employees to behave responsibly on the roads and compensate for damages caused by them.

The lesson for all drivers is clear: pay attention not only to traffic lights but also to their employment contracts and long-term consequences. Delaying and ignoring fines can easily lead to more severe costs, legal proceedings, and long-term financial burdens.

(The article is based on documents from the Abu Dhabi Labour Court.)