100 UAE traffic rules, violations and fines

Code	Traffic Violation	Dhs.		Points
1	Driving an unlicensed vehicle.	200		3
2	Driving a vehicle with an expired driving license.	100		1
3	Driving a vehicle of an unlicensed category.	200		3
4	Driving a vehicle with a foreign license without a permit from the licensing authority.	150		0
5	Driving with an expired vehicle registration documents.	100		1
6	Failing to present a driving license when requested.	100		1
7	Failing to present vehicle registration documents when requested.	100		1
8	Driving a taxi without a permit.	100		2
9	Exceeding speed limits (radar).	200		1
10	Driving recklessly and causing danger to the other road users.	200		3
11	Running the red light.	500		5
12	Disobeying instructions of the traffic policeman.	200		1
13	Failing to pull over at the request of the traffic policeman.	200		2
14	Failing to give name and address to the traffic policeman when requested.	200		2
15	Failing to observe Traffic Signs and Instructions.	100		2
16	Obstructing the traffic flow.	100		1
17	Failing to give way to emergency vehicles ( e.g. ambulances and fire engines) and police vehicles.	200		2
18	Failing to give way to vehicles coming from the left.	100		1
19	Entering the roundabout from the wrong lane.	100		2
20	Overtaking vehicles on the right or in a dangerous way.	150		3
21	Failing to give signals when changing lanes or entering a roundabout.	150		1
22	Car reversing in a dangerous manner.	100		1
23	Failing to observe ?No Entry? sign.	200		2
24	Stopping on the zebra crossing or failing to leave enough space.	100		2
25	Failing to leave enough between vehicles.	100		1
26	Parking in a No Parking area.	150		1
27	Parking on the pavement.	150		1
28	Parking behind parked cars.	150		2
29	Parking on the left side of the road.	150		2
30	Parking which could endanger pedestrians or impede their movement.	100		2
31	Failure to take appropriate action to ensure traffic flow when one's vehicle breaks down	100		2
32	Failing to ensure that the vehicle comes to a full stop.	150		1
33	Carrying out fundamental changes to the engine or chassis of the vehicle without permit.	400		3
34	Using a vehicle for an unlicensed purpose.	100		1
35	Driving a vehicle unfit for use.	150		1
36	Driving a vehicle without safety equipment.	150		2
37	Touting for passengers.	50		1
38	Refusing to carry passengers in a taxi.	100		1
39	Carrying more passengers than permitted.	50		2
40	Failure to display approved fares in buses and taxis.	150		1
41	Failure to adhere to authorized fares.	100		1
42	Excess loading (loads in excess of permitted limits).	200		2
43	Loading a vehicle in such a way that causes danger to other road users.	100		2
44	Driving a vehicle without number plates or with one single plate.	200		3
45	Unclear number plates.	150		1
46	Use of horn in restricted areas in a disturbing manner.	100		1
47	Driving without wearing medical glasses or lenses (for those with poor eye sight).	100		1
48	Failing to use seat belts.	100		3
49	Failing to wear a helmet when driving a motorcycle.	200		2
50	Driving noise-producing vehicles.	100		1
51	Driving at night or in foggy weather conditions without using lights.	150		2
52	Failing to use rear lights on trailers.	150		2
53	Placing traffic signs on the road which cause damages to other road users or affects traffic flow.	100		2
54	Driving at a speed below "minimum speed" for the road.	100		0
55	Giving driving lessons without a permit.	200		3
56	Giving driving lessons in a car not carrying ?Learning? sign.	100		3
57	Driving without observing lane restrictions.	100		2
58	Attempting to enter a road without making sure it is clear.	200		1
59	The sudden deviation in direction.	150		1
60	Carrying different plate number on trailer and car.	100		1
61	Driving in the wrong direction.	200		3
62	Failing to give way to vehicles coming from the left.	100		2
63	Trucks or lorries overtaking other vehicles in a dangerous way.	400		4
64	Overtaking other vehicles where overtaking is not allowed.	400		4
65	Enter the road in a dangerous way.	400		4
66	Towing a vehicle or boat without proper precautions.	100		2
67	Materials dropping from moving vehicles.	100		2
68	Littering motorists.	100		2
69	Using rotating spot lights with different colors.	100		2
70	Unlicensed additions to the vehicle.	100		1
71	Failing to use internal lights on buses at night.	100		1
72	Not carrying driving license or car registration documents.	100		1
73	Driving a taxi with an expired sponsorship.	100		2
74	Carrying passengers in a vehicle used for learning to drive.	100		2
75	Giving driving lessons in times or places not permitted by law.	100		2
76	Failing to observe laws governing number plates for commercial vehicles..	100		2
77	Giving driving lessons in vehicle not licensed for this purpose.	100		3
78	Driving a vehicle with worn-out tires.	100		2
79	Indicators and lighting equipment are not in working order.	100		1
80	Rear red lights are not in working order.	100		1
81	Driving a vehicle with high harmful emissions.	300		2
82	Not having the vehicle inspected after major modification to engine.	100		2
83	Leaving vehicle on the road with its engine running.	100		3
84	Misuse of parking areas.	100		2
85	Failure to fix reflectors to the rear of heavy goods or transport vehicles.	100		3
86	Writings or stickers on the vehicles showing indecent material.	100		3
87	Failure to write heavy vehicle load limits on its side.	100		1
88	Failure to attach what may indicate excess permitted load.	100		1
89	Failure to fix taxi sign in specified places.	100		1
90	Failure to conform to specified colors for taxis or L-Plate cars.	100		1
91	Failure to observe loading and unloading rules in parking areas.	100		1
92	Opening the left hand door of a taxi.	100		2
93	Failure to wear specified or tidy uniform for taxi drivers.	100		1
94	Failure to provide vertical exhaust pipe in heavy vehicles.	200		2
95	Failure to cover load in lorries.	100		2
96	Pedestrians who do not observe pedestrian or zebra crossings.	50		0
97	Lorries and trucks using roads not specified for them.	100		2
98	Failing to give way to pedestrians.	100		1
99	Failing to stop the vehicle when involved in a car accident.	100		1
100	Parking in areas designated for fire engines or the disabled.	500

Drive carefully and enjoy your stay in the UAE.

Podcast: Hindi (Indian) language guide

Join Scott on his pilgrimage to the Taj Mahal, via snake charmers, mad crowds and with the some handy Hindi language tips from a friendly local, Mrs. Sharma.

You know you are Asian when...

* When you tell your parents you got 98%, and they ask you what happened to the other 2%.

* There is a sale on any item, you buy 100 of them.

* You make tea in a saucepan.

* You never buy bin bags, but use your saved grocery bags for it.

* You put your clothes in suitcases instead of wardrobes.

* You have a 'Singer Brother' sewing machine at home.

* Your mother has a minor disagreement with her sister and doesn'ttalk to her for ten years.

* You call an older person you've never met before "uncle".

* You hide everything from your parents.

* Your mother does everything for you if you are male.

* You do all the housework and cooking if you are female.

* Your relatives alone could populate a small city.

* Everyone is a family friend.

* Everyone always called you for help on homework.

* You study law, medicine or engineering at university.

* You were thick so you studied computer science or business instead.

* You know no one who has studied music.

* You went to a university as far away from home as possible.

* You still came back home to live with your parents after you had finished.

* Your best friend got married at the age of 18.

* You like the meat well done.

* You eat onions with everything.

* You use chilli sauce instead of tomato ketchup.

* You fight over who pays the dinner bill.

* You say you hate Indian films/songs but secretly watch/hear them

* You avoid public places when with a member of the opposite sex, especially if there is an acquaintance within a 250 miles radius.

* You always say "open the light" instead of "turn the light on".

* You secure your baggage with a rope.

* You're walking out of customs with your trolley at the airport and you see all 25 members of your family who have come to pick you up.

* You get very upset when airlines refuse to accept your luggage which is just 80 lbs overweight.

* You go back to your parents' country and people treat you like a member of the royal family.

* You ask your dad a simple question and he tells you story of how he had to walk miles barefoot just to get to school.

* Your Dad drives a Nissan.

* You're rich so he drives a Mercedes.

* You are always taking off and putting on your shoes wherever you go.

* When you were little you always wondered why your English friends waited until after breakfast to brush their teeth when you did it first thing in the morning.

* To your English friends, oil is used purely for cooking and not as a grooming aid.

* Your parents have nicknames but only because people they work with just stop when trying to read their names

* You have annoying nicknames like "Chotu" or Chickoo"

* Your parents call all your friends "Beta" (son/daughter).

* Your mother measures wealth in gold and diamonds.

* Your parents drink 7 cups of tea a day.

* Your parents compare you to all of their friends' kids.

* At least once a week your mom says, "I want to go to India/Pakistan.".

* No one ever seems to call ahead of time to say they are coming over for a visit.

* Your parents worry what other people will think if you're not going to be a doctor/ engineer.

* You're parent's always say while shopping abroad, "It's cheaper in India/Pakistan."

Top 10 mistakes people make when travelling for work

1. Paper problems Many forget to keep adequate photocopies of important documents such as passport, or hotel booking confirmations while travelling. "Some of these documents are important to validate your bookings or claims, lest your bags or originals get misplaced," says Jay Shah, immigration lawyer with Divyakant Mehta & Associates. "Professionals fail to carry proper identification, conference / business meeting invitation letters, in case they are questioned at the airport," he adds. 2. Burying it deep People either are completely reckless about their documents or they are extra cautious. "I find that people dump their passports, etc, right at the bottom of the hand baggage fearing that it will get stolen. And then they have to dig through all that mess to pull it out at the immigration desk," adds Mehta. Keep your originals handy, preferably in a seperate pouch to show at the immigration counter. 3. Not confirming Many rely heavily on agents or subordinates and assume that details like transport, etc, will be taken care of. "They do not carry telephone numbers of the contact in that city, or detailed directions to the meeting place or hotel," observes Shah. Agrees Heena Akhtar, COO of TravelPort, "Not checking transport schedules or confirming meeting details before leaving can cause trouble." 4. Flight trouble "Many arrive late for check-ins and end up with middle seats which are uncomfortable. Sometimes they even miss the flight," observes Akhtar. 5. Forgetting essentials "Forgetting to carry enough business cards, and laptops and cell phone chargers or plug pin adaptors is a very common mistake people make," says Rajiv Mehta, Managing Director, Puma Sports India Pvt Ltd. 6. Cheap thrills People generally tend to go in for the cheapest hotel deals, airfare, packages... everything. Cheap deals usually offer substandard service. "You could spend more in irritation and distance and time," warns Akhtar. 7. Not tagging your luggage These days luggage and other travel accessories have the same designs the world over, this can be very confusing. "On one of my trips I took off with someone else's bag that had the same initials, look and feel as mine. I realised this only after reaching the hotel, due to which I was late for a very important dinner meeting. Since then my luggage always has a ribbon on the handle and my business card in the tag," recalls Anupam Mittal, CMD, People Group. 8. Carrying too much "Many people carry more baggage than they are able to handle. This does not allow you to roam around freely in immigration and security. Also they fail to confirm with the airlines about baggage restriction," says Shah. "Many people want to carry laptops, handbag and their blazers all at the same time... relax and keep your cabin luggage light," suggests Akhtar. 9. Roaming reckless Many people forget to carry their credit cards. Even if they do, they carry only one, which may not work due to some reason. "Some international credit cards require that you call up the bank and activate the roaming feature, failing to do which your card will not work in another country," informs Shah. People also forget to check if the card is valid and has enough credit left before setting out. 10. Homework not done Inadequate research about office timings, holidays and weather conditions in your destination will leave you high and dry. Also not knowing about how much you will need to spend, and if your bank has branches and ATM networks in the place you are heading to, will leave you without money in a strange country or area. Banks provide a list of ATMs overseas, exchange rates, and traveller's cheques. Travelling is a skill you need to perfect, especially if your job requires it. The more you travel, the better you'll get at it. Till then, see box alongside for planning your work trips better.

Mirror gets Italian village out of the dark

Pierfranco Midali, the mayor of the small town of Viganella, in the Antrona Valley, north of Turin, Italy, holds the remote control computer as the giant mirror positioned on the hill behind starts reflecting the sun down into the town Square, Sunday, Dec. 17, 2006.

Viganella celebrated Sunday its 'day of the light', as it officially inaugurated the giant mirror positioned on a nearby peak to reflect sunlight onto the town's square.

The 197 inhabitants of Viganella used to suffer from a complete lack of direct sun from Nov. 11 to Feb. 2, but an eight-by-six meter sheet of steel, remotely controlled by a computer will now reflect the sunrays to the town's square during the winter.

The project cost US $ 150,000 and was financed by local governments and a private bank.

Read more.

Podcast: Bukhara, Uzbekistan

Why are Bill Gates's bedspread and curtains the talk of Bukhara?
Ask Andrea, resident of Bukhara .

Phantom woodpecker

Kip Davis and Jay Robison saw what they believed was an ivory-billed woodpecker on Thursday, one of thousands of reported sightings piling up as leaves in an east Arkansas swamp drift down.

On the typical day, someone somewhere reports that they've seen the rare bird, believed extinct until a Hot Springs kayaker said he spotted one along the Cache River near Brinkley in 2004.

Davis, the city planner for McCrory, and Robison, who works for the Arkansas Department of Economic Development, said Friday they were driving near Cotton Plant when a female ivory-billed swooped in the sky behind an oncoming truck.

"I saw something come off the tree, like the truck has spooked it," Davis said in a telephone interview from his office in McCrory. "It came by again and it had its wing span out and it just kind of glided back into the woods, and I said 'Is that what I think it is?'"

Davis, who has attended workshops about identifying an ivory-billed woodpecker, said he and Robison believe it was a female because the bird had a black head and body with white wing-tipped feathers, but no red. The male ivory-billed has a red crest.

Read more about the search for the Ivory Billed Woodpecker.

World's tallest man saves dolphins

The long arms of the world's tallest man reached in and saved two dolphins by pulling out plastic from their stomachs, according to reports.

The dolphins got sick after nibbling on plastic from the edge of their pool at an aquarium in Liaoning province. Attempts to use surgical instruments to remove the plastic failed because the dolphins' stomachs contracted in response to the instruments, the China Daily newspaper reported.

Veterinarians then decided to ask for help from Bao Xishun, a 7-foot-9 herdsman from Inner Mongolia with 41.7-inch arms, state media said.

Bao, 54, was confirmed last year by the Guinness Book of World Records as the world's tallest living man.

Podcast: Little Becky wants to demolish her school

Little Becky wants to demolish her school located in Dublin, Ireland. Worth listening. Shows how children all over the world are the same - cute, innocent and full of laughs.

14,800 historical maps online

The David Rumsey Historical Map Collection has over 14,800 maps online. The collection focuses on rare 18th and 19th century North and South America maps and other cartographic materials.

Historic maps of the World, Europe, Asia and Africa are also represented. Collection categories include antique atlas, globe, school geography, maritime chart, state, county, city, pocket, wall, childrens and manuscript maps. The collection can be used to study history, genealogy and family history.

One night in Athens

You have one evening to spend in the Greek capital. Three people in the know tell you how to do it right.

Fotis Karayannopolos, attorney: Begin with a martini at the Hilton's panoramic Galaxy Bar, where you can watch a glorious Greek sunset. Move on to the Panathinaia open-air cinema to catch a vintage 1940s film and smell the jasmine flowers that adorn the cement wall.

Then, take to the balcony of the Attikos restaurant for a great view and a scrumptious sofrito veal meal. Head for the trendy Gazi clubbing district for a final round of drinks and some late-night flirting and dancing.

Should Tyche, goddess of Fortune, hitch you up with a new acquaintance, head up to Kaisariani hill where you can lie under the pine trees in the courtyard of a Byzantine monastery, gazing at the stars.

Read the other two people’s suggestions.

Green travel tips

Next time you travel, consider making small adjustments that could have a big impact on the environment. From toiletries and towels to restaurants and recycling, "sustainable tourism" can help you preserve the local culture while you enjoy it.


Bring toiletries: Many hotels offer soaps, toothpastes, shampoos and more to help their guests feel comfortable and keep their luggage lighter. Using these amenities creates waste from the plastic wrappings, paper boxes and plastic containers they come in. Instead, bring your own toiletries in reusable containers.

Use glass, not plastic: If your hotel room comes with glass cups, use them instead of plastic ones to reduce the impact on the environment. Using plastic means throwing away not only the cup but also the plastic wrapper it came in. Also, plastic can take hundreds of years to decompose in landfills.

Don’t make coffee: It’s better for the environment -- and more of an adventure -- to grab a mug of coffee at a café than use the hotel room coffeemaker. You’ll likely use less electricity and avoid the waste that comes with foil coffee wrappers and plastic cream containers, stirrers and cups.


Read more.

A Nobel prize-winning meal

I will never win the Nobel Prize for literature, physics or medicine, and definitely not, as my old high school scores will attest, for chemistry. So I never dreamed that I would one day sit down to enjoy the lavish meal served to Nobel laureates at the ceremonial banquet in Stockholm.
Yet for a fee a lot smaller than the Nobel Prize (currently worth about $1 million), I was able to do exactly that on a recent trip to Sweden's handsome capital.

For 1,350 kronor (about $195), the Nobel menu can be enjoyed by any visitor to Stockholm. Perhaps not in the company of royalty and laureates -- such as the three Bay Area professors to be honored Sunday -- and not in the great Blue Hall of the impressive Stadshuset (City Hall), where the Nobel banquet is served each Dec. 10, but close enough. Directly underneath in the Stadshuskällaren (City Hall Cellar restaurant), the same chef and staff will proffer, with the same formality and flair, on the same gilded tableware, the same meal created for those greater mortals.

Every year, chef de cuisine Gunnar Eriksson and notable guest chefs prepare three menus that are tasted and chosen by members of the Nobel Foundation (and kept secret until served). The intent is to provide "a varied menu that has typical Scandinavian flavor," he says, while taking into account cultural sensitivities: "Certain dishes, such as intestines, are avoided."

Read more.

Flatulence forces US plane to land

An American Airlines flight was forced to make an emergency landing Monday morning after a passenger lit a match to disguise the scent of flatulence, reports SFGate.

The Dallas-bound flight was diverted to Nashville after several passengers reported smelling burning sulfur from the matches, said Lynne Lowrance, spokeswoman for the Nashville International Airport Authority.

All 99 passengers and five crew members were taken off and screened while the plane was searched and luggage was screened.

The FBI questioned a passenger who admitted she struck the matches in an attempt to conceal a "body odor," Lowrance said. She had an unspecified medical condition, authorities said.

In a humorous way, we feel sorry for the poor lady.

Slideshow: Khajuraho

Khajuraho, the temple city of central India, is famous throughout the world for its exquisitely carved temples in stones.

Today, apart from the temples, Khajuraho is a small village but a thousand years ago it was a large city of the Chandelas, medieval Rajput kings who ruled over Central India.

Luc Vanhauw has taken some beautiful photographs and you can see them as a slideshow.

Begin Slideshow

Maps of Goa's beautiful beaches

John the Map Surveyor has maps of individual beaches showing important buildings (hotels, restaurants, shops, etc.) in that beach area:

• Arombol Beach and nearby Kalacha Beach.
• Vagator Beach, along with nearby Chapora Beach.
• Anjuna Beach.
• Calangute Beach and nearby Baga Beach.
• Candolim Beach.
• Town of Mapusa.
• Aguada Beach and nearby Coco Beach.
• City of Panaji and nearby Campal Beach.
• Old Goa.
• Vasco da Gama Beach, along with Khare Beach to the east and Baina Beach to the south.
• Bogmalo Beach.
• Majorda Beach.
• Colva Beach.
• Town of Margao
• Benaulim Beach.
• Palolem Beach and nearby Colomb Beach.

India's first sex museum opens in Mumbai

City authorities in Mumbai, have opened a sex museum to raise understanding about sex and related issues.

This is the city's - and probably India's - first such museum. The organisers say it is needed because sex is not talked about as openly in India as it is in the West and is often considered as a taboo subject.
They believe it could help spread awareness about AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

The museum's exhibits include fibreglass models of men, women and their genitalia. There are explanations of how a baby is conceived and born. And there are models explaining how to use condoms and illustrations on menstruation, AIDS and STDs.

Well we are not too surprised. After all we are the land of Kama Sutra and we have a rich heritage of erotic art - high time we put it to good use. Read more.

Taj Mahal's architectural antecedents

Though the Taj Mahal is said to be the most perfect building in the world, it is not without precedent. According to art historian Shobita Punja: "Everything has a tradition.

The Taj Mahal is perfect and beautiful because it had antecedents, a heritage of experimental constructions before it. For example, Shah Jahan must have seen his great-grandfather's tomb in Delhi, must have gone for the annual death-anniversary celebrations as a young boy and must have been inspired by this magnificent, huge tomb."

Babur wished to be buried under the open sky in his favorite garden in Kabul, so the tomb built for Humayun, commissioned under Akbar's rule, was the first major edifice constructed by the restored dynasty and the first major construction of the distinctly Mughal style of architecture.

For the Mughal emperors, a tomb was an opportunity to pay tribute to the dead, observe their religious responsibilities and broadcast their magnificence. The tombs of Humayun and Akbar were also grand architectural experiments. Read more.

Video: Spain's tomato fight festival

La Tomatina tomato fight festival in Buñol near Valencia, Spain, is celebrated every year on the last Wednesday in August though the partying starts earlier in the week.

There exist several interpretations on the origin of this popular Spanish festival. According to some historians, its origin goes back to a "practical joke" that some friends wanted to play on a man who was crossing the town square singing and playing a musical instrument but, apparently, he was doing it so badly that some of the people around decided to take some tomatoes from a fruit and vegetables stall and throw them at him. Everybody else joined in and it ended up in a tomato battle.

Gentlemen, rev up your engines

BMW motorcycles are are known for their broad sphere of use and their perfect function in all driving situations. So they are the right thing underneath for new adventures.

Whether you are looking for new sporty challenges or you want to experience distant countries and cultures, here is the ultimate voyage and training portal: BMW Motorrad.

At BMW Motorrad, you can find top-class motorcycle travel training, fantastic destinations all over the world and experienced partners to take care of the organisation.

Where would you like to go? Is there a particular time you want to go away? Do you have a favourite amongst the BMW motorcycles? Or are you looking for something specific, such as an Enduro trip? They have all the answers.

For mobike enthusiasts, it's a dream come true.

Chatuchak, the world's biggest weekend market

Bangkok’s Chatuchak Market is the world’s biggest weekend market selling practically everything under the sun - trendy fashions, ntiques intricate wooden carvings, masks from far-off lands, adorable fluffy dogs, colorful fish of every hue and singing birds. You can find all this and more at amazing Chatuchak Market.

There are almost 9,000 individual booths overflowing with every imaginable type of wares to catch your fancy. Once inside the market, you will be catch up in a world of bursting crowds and stalls stretching as far as the eye can see.

If you are thinking of decorating your home, searching for that perfect piece of furniture or decoration, be it antique, modern, Thai or Western? Or perhaps an ethnic handicraft to brighten up your living room? Or ceramic products like tea cups, coffee mugs, pots, traditional Thai Benjarong and ceramic dolls?

The real charm of the Chatuchak Market in Bangkok lies in the fact that you can - and should - bargain with each stall you are interested in.

Whether you will snare a bargain or not is a test of your own negotiating skills. So don' t be surprised if the same goods bought by you and your friends from the same shop carry different prices. (via Bangkok City)

Passengers too wide for aircraft seats

Air passengers are getting too wide to fit comfortably into some aircraft seats, a new survey has revealed.

The poll by the holiday company First Choice found that two-thirds of men are too broad-shouldered for their neighbours' liking in aircraft seats of 16-inch width, which is currently the narrowest operated.

And women have, on average, put on 1.5 inches around the hips between 1951 and 2002 and are also broader across the shoulders, according to the survey.