Car News

The regular Dubai Taxis already have cameras installed inside them and now Uber is also adding the same feature in its taxis. Talking about the new safety features in Uber app, Sachin Kansal, Uber's global head of safety product stated that with more than 15 million trips registered on Uber each day, there is nothing more important than ensuring the safety of both the drivers and the riders. He further added that the company has been working since last year to develop products which will improve the user experience and provide peace of mind to everyone. Besides adding cameras, the Uber app will also introduce a shortcut to dial emergency numbers as well as an option to share trip details with trusted contacts with a single tap. More features will be added to improve the overall security standard of both the driver and the rider. Kansal also stated that the addition of these features will not impact the Uber service pricing. Do you appreciate this step taken by Uber? Or do you think this is somehow a breach of privacy for the riders? Do share your opinion with us.

Starting next week, you will have to refuel your car all by yourself or pay extra to have an attendant fill up your fuel tank. Adnoc has deployed a pay to pump service across the Northern Emirates and residents of Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah, Umm Al Quwain, and Ajman will now be enjoying the free self-service system. For those who wish to have their fuel tank filled by an attendant will be required to pay a fee of AED 10. Moreover, in order to remove the need of using cash or cards at the pump, Adnoc will distribute 100,000 smart tags which will allow customers to pay for the fuel using a prepaid smart wallet. For an extra AED 10 fee, customers will also receive a windscreen wash, tire pressure check, and rewards. Tell us your thoughts regarding this new self-refueling service and let us know if you find it convenient or whether you prefer the traditional service?

Every taxi in Dubai will soon have free Wi-Fi, thanks to the new deal signed between Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and the telecom operator Du. The deal was finalized at the Gitex Technology Week and aims to improve the experience of commuters using the taxi service. Both the parties showed immense commitment to making Dubai a smart and lively city. RTA has announced that Du will soon begin the installation of Wi-Fi services on the taxis and within a year, all the vehicles will have the Wi-Fi technology. Ahmad Hashem Behroozian, CEO of RTA’s Public Transport Agency stated that adding the Wi-Fi service in the taxi will allow the riders to conveniently browse the internet on their mobile phones and carry out important tasks while traveling. The Wi-Fi service in the taxi will surely be helpful for every Dubai resident. Do share your thoughts with us if you agree.

The Ras Al Khaimah Police have been on a hunt for abandoned vehicles and as a part of their campaign, they have found 31 such vehicles from just one specific area. Talking about the issue, Major Salem Burqiba, head of traffic patrols section stated that the owners of these vehicles will be contacted and asked to remove the car within the next 10 days. If the owner ignores the warning, the vehicle will be impounded and will only be released after the fine has been paid. A warning sticker has been stuck on four of these vehicles and the owner has 10 days to remove them. As for the remaining cars, they have been impounded and transferred to the police yard. Major Salem Burqiba further added that some of the vehicles found were completely damaged while others did not have a number plate attached. Since leaving vehicles unattended for a long time increases chances for a criminal activity, it is important to have them removed at earliest. What are your thoughts about this step taken by the Ras Al Khaimah police? Do share your opinion with us.

Do you find it annoying when you have to search the parking lot back and forth for a free parking space? Well RTA has an excellent solution to your problem. Introducing the Parking Reservation app which was showcased at the 38th Gitex Technology Week on Sunday. This app will allow you to reserve a parking space in advance at a cost of AED 10 per hour while every additional hour will also cost AED 10. The payment can be done through the debit or credit card. Currently, the app can be used to reserve a parking spot in only two areas including Dubai Marina and Dubai Media City but more areas will be added soon. The app is available on Android devices right now but will soon be launched on iOS-powered devices as well. Do you think this app will be useful for reserving a parking spot in Dubai? Share your thoughts with us.

The Gitex Technology Week starts from 14th October in Dubai and one of the highlights of the show will be the driverless taxis. According to the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), these driverless taxis will run on specific routes at the Dubai Silicon Oasis and feature top-notch security standards. State-of-the-art safety cameras and sensors are installed on the taxis for monitoring the road and traffic condition and to control the vehicle to avoid any collision. These autonomous taxis will be used by the Dubai Metro and tram passengers to help them reach their destination. Along with the driverless taxis, the robot cleaners for metro stations as well as the 3D printed metro spare parts and an AI-powered chatbot will also be displayed at the Gitex. What is your opinion about these automated taxis? Do you think this technology can be trusted for human safety?

Abu Dhabi police has issued a warning stating that the motorists are required to halt when they see a school bus stop sign as failing to do so will result in AED 1,000 fine and 10 black points. Moreover, school bus drivers who do not open the stop sign while dropping the students will receive AED 500 fine along with six black points. Motorists are also warned follow the speed limit near schools while the parents have been informed to not allow children below the age of 10 or below 145 centimeters in height to sit in the front seat of the car. Abu Dhabi police is also running an excellent campaign to educate school bus drivers and other motorists about safe driving rules. Do you appreciate this step taken by Abu Dhabi police? Do share your thoughts with us.

The Smart Yard was first launched in February 2018 at Dubai Driving Center, Al Khail branch in order to automate the parking test and reduce the need for RTA examiners. Towards the end of September, six more smart yards were launched and another three will be operational by the end of October. By the end of this year, all 14 RTA test centers will have smart testing yards according to Abdullah Yousef Al Ali, CEO of RTA's Licensing Agency. The Smart Test comprises of a slope test, emergency brake test, parallel parking test, garage parking test, and angle parking test. The test usually completes within 15 minutes and till now more than 6,000 people have taken it. Thanks to the use of high-tech cameras and latest technologies, the automated parking tests ensures fairness in results and determines if the applicant has failed or passed. If you have undertaken the automated parking test, do share your experience with us and provide us with helpful tips as well.

The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has announced a new rule which states that the electric vehicles in Dubai will now need to be accredited first before they can be registered. The reason for this rule is that RTA wants to ensure the safety of every driver on the road. Abdullah Yousef Al Ali, CEO of RTA's Licensing Agency explained that electric vehicles are equipped with complex electrical and mechanical components which can pose a threat to the users, roads, and pedestrians if not checked properly for quality. He further stated that RTA has alerted all service suppliers, auto agents, and technical testing personnel to not register an electric car in Dubai unless it has been verified by a UAE-based accredited agent. RTA is also conducting training sessions for public awareness and educating the auto agents in the UAE about electric and hybrid vehicle testing standards.

If you are a resident of Ras Al Khaimah and have recently been issued a traffic fine, we have some good news for you. Starting from next week, you can get 30% discount on traffic fines till November 1st as mentioned by Major General Al Abdullah bin Alwan Al Nuaimi, General Commander of RAK Police. The best part is that the drivers who have issued a traffic fine 81 days ago for violations such as over speeding or vehicle impoundment will also be eligible for the discount. This step has been taken in the honor of the Year of Zayed and the Ras Al Khaimah Police have also been working towards improving the satisfaction of residents by reducing the financial burden. Do you appreciate this step taken by the Ras Al Khaimah Police? Share your thoughts with us and also discuss what more could be done to make the life of an ordinary resident easy.

When you visit any shopping mall in Dubai, you must have noticed that it takes a considerable amount of time to find a parking spot and then walking from the parking lot to the inside of the mall. This problem can be fixed with autonomous parking which will not only make things convenient for the driver but also help save over $1 billion. Talking about the parking spaces, Andy Stevenson, Future Mobility Director at Mott MacDonald mentioned that the autonomous vehicles should arrive soon as there would be a need of about 10,000 new parking spaces in Dubai’s new and existing shopping malls. Stevenson further discussed that there should be a balance between the parking space and the time it takes for the visitor to park the car. By introducing drop-offs and autonomous vehicles, the need for additional parking space will be reduced by 40 percent saving around $1 billion (AED 3.65b). Moreover, another research carried out by University of Toronto revealed that since with autonomous car parking the driver exits the car before the car is parked, there is no need for the door to be opened once the car has been parked. This means that more cars can be crammed together to save space. Are you excited for autonomous vehicles? Do you think they are better compared to the regular vehicles present in the market? Do share your opinion with us.

If you love electric cars and you are a customer of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), then you can buy an electric car at a discounted price from the DEWA new online store on the smart app. DEWA collaborated with several public and private companies and launched its online store on the smart app to offer exclusive discount and offers to its valued customers. Moreover, customers can also get insurance deals as well as an option to pay for their purchase in installments. DEWA is conducting deals with different car makers, banks and insurance companies to offer its customers discount on electric cars. Till now, the company has signed an agreement with AW Rostamani Group and Al Ghandi Auto while discussions are underway with BMW and Toyota. Also, DEWA is partnering with banks such as Emirates NBD to provide easy financing plans.

Car registration costs a good amount of money in the UAE. However, if you own or plan to buy an electric car, you can get it registered absolutely free in Ras Al Khaimah. The Ras Al Khaimah Police have announced that there will be no fee whatsoever for registration, renewal and ownership transfer for electric vehicles from October 1st to December 31st, 2018. The decision was taken by His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah. The Commander-in-Chief of the RAK Police, Major-General Ali Abdullah bin Alwan Al Nuaimi, stated that the decision has been taken in accordance with the UAE's strategy to adopt clean energy by 2040. In order to promote the strategy, the use of electric vehicles will be increased which will help in reducing the fuel consumption. He further mentioned that this step will help in cutting down pollution and encourage the industries related to electric vehicles. Do you prefer electric cars over gas-powered cars? Do let us know if you plan to buy an electric car soon.

If you haven’t washed your car for a long time and it seems considerably dirty, better get it cleaned quickly or you can get a fine of AED 500. The Dubai Municipality has issued a warning stating that the residents cannot leave their cars dirty or unwashed for a long time as this damages the beauty and appearance of the city. Talking about the issue, Abdul Majeed Abdul Aziz Al Saifaie, director of Dubai Municipality’s waste management department mentioned that the vehicle will first be identified and if it seems dirty enough to spoil the appearance of the city, a warning sticker will be issued to the driver. The driver will have 15 days to clean the vehicle, however, if the owner of the car does not respond, the vehicle will be moved to scrap yard. If the fine is still not paid, the car will be auctioned. It is also important to note that this warning applies to those cars that have been unwashed for months and not the ones that have light dirt. In Abu Dhabi, the municipality gives a three-day warning to the driver and if the car is not cleaned, the owner has to pay a fine of AED 3,000. Do you think this is a good step taken by the Dubai Municipality to improve the aesthetics of the city? Share your thoughts with us and also discuss why is it important to keep the car clean.

The Dubai Police already has some luxury sports cars in its fleets such as the Lamborghini Aventador, Bentley Continental GT, McLaren, Bugatti Veyron, and the Mercedes G Wagen. Now, the Chevrolet Bolt EV has been added as well. One of the reasons to add an electric vehicle to the Dubai Police fleet is Dubai Green Mobility initiative through which the UAE aims to increase awareness about conservation and promote the use of electric cars. A total of 8 Chevrolet Bolt EVs have been added to the fleet and they will soon be seen patrolling on the streets of Dubai. The President and Managing Director of General Motors Africa and the Middle East, John Roth mentioned that the company is proud to support the Dubai’s Green Mobility Initiative. Do you agree that using electric vehicles in government fleets will prove to be beneficial? Do share your opinion with us regarding the benefits of electric and hybrid vehicles.

The Department of Transport (DoT) in Abu Dhabi has announced that paper tickets will no longer be used for bus rides in Al Ain City and Al Dhafra Region from September 30th. The DoT has successfully implemented the automated payment system and the residents will now be using the Hafilat Smart Card to pay for their commuting. The Hafilat Smart Card is available at the Ticket Sales Office on every bus station in Al Ain and Al Dhafra. Moreover, it can also be purchased from the Ticket Vending Machine. 41 TVM and 138 Banknote Reloader (BBR) have been implemented in multiple locations in Abu Dhabi for the convenience of the residents. This automated payment system is definitely going to help the UAE residents in their daily commuting. Share your thoughts with us whether this automated payment system is convenient or you preferred the traditional paper tickets?

The fuel prices have been increased slightly in the UAE as stated by the Ministry of Energy and Industry. Starting from the month of October, the per-liter price of Super 98 will increase from AED 2.59 to AED 2.61. The price of Special 95 will increase to AED 2.50 compared to AED 2.48 from last month while the diesel will cost AED 2.76 per liter (up from AED 2.64 last month). The fuel prices have increased consecutively since the last two months and may go even higher in the coming months. This hike in the fuel prices is definitely going to affect the UAE residents. Share your opinion with us regarding why the fuel prices are increasing every month and how can the citizen cope up with the expensive rates.

Dubai: If you do not wish to get a heavy fine of AED 150,000, you better avoid taking photos of accidents and later publishing them on social media platforms. The Abu Dhabi police have issued a warning against taking pictures at accident sites can get you into serious trouble. Talking about the issue, Brigadier Khalifa Mohammed Al Khaili, director of Traffic and Patrols of Abu Dhabi Police, mentioned that such practice cause hindrance to the work of traffic patrols, ambulance, and other civil defense vehicles. He further added that such delays may result in serious consequences and can worsen the situation of a victim. The regulation was administered in accordance with the UAE’s Cybercrime Law No 5 of 2012, Article No. 21 which states that anyone who uses an electronic device to invade someone privacy will be given a fine of AED 150,000 to AED 500,000 along with an imprisonment of up to six months. Moreover, drivers who deliberately stop their vehicles to just spectate the scene of a traffic accident will be fined AED 1,000 for blocking the road as it may cause a problem for the emergency team to reach the location. Do you appreciate this step by the Abu Dhabi Police? Share your opinion with us and also some tips regarding how one should behave in case an accident occurs in front of them.

The Formula E is debuting in the Middle East next season in Riyadh as announced by Prince Khaled Bin Sultan Bin Abdullah AlFaisal, president of the Saudi Arabian Motor Federation, and Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki AlFaisal Al Saud, vice-chair of the Saudi Arabia General Sports Authority along with the founder and CEO of Formula E, Alejandro Agag. The opening round of the 2018/19 ABB FIA Formula E Championship will take place in December. For those who don’t know, Formula E is a racing event which involves only electric-powered vehicles. The racing series started back in 2011 and it is now arriving in the Middle East for the very first time. Talking about the event, Alejandro Agag mentioned that Saudi Arabia being an excellent country that is working on developing a better future is the perfect venue for introducing the next-gen Formula E cars. As for the UAE, there are already some race events taking place in Abu Dhabi from 22nd to 25th November 2018. Visit the F1 Experience website to know more details. If you have attended the Formula E racing event in the past, please share your experience with us and let us know more about it.

Roads and Transport Authority has recently launched its new chatbot that acts as a virtual assistant and is capable of communicating with the users in both Arabic and English Language. The chatbot which is called Mahboub uses the latest artificial intelligence technology to converse with the user via both texts as well as voice. You can request any information related to vehicle registration in Dubai, Metro timing, tram timing, taxi information, parking space availability and a lot more. Mahboub has been designed to answer the queries just as a human representative would. Prior to the conversation, Mahboub will gather important information from the user such as name, mobile number and email address. The users are requested to be specific when asking questions to help Mahboub source the correct information from the RTA database. Such technological innovations are extremely helpful for the UAE residents. If you have already used Mahboub, do share with us your experience regarding how helpful the virtual assistant is.

If you are a frequent road traveler who travels out of the UAE to other GCC countries, then this article is specifically for you. The Sharjah Police have issued a warning for the drivers stating that they should avoid overloading their vehicles when crossing the UAE border. Talking to Khaleej Times, Lt Saud Al Shaiba, director of the awareness section of traffic and patrol department at the Sharjah Police, mentioned that overloading is a serious offense and any resident found breaking this law can get a fine of up to Dh2,000 as well as six black points. Speaking more about the issue, Lt Saud Al Shaiba stated that there have been several accidents in the past due to overloading of baggage, faulty tires and overspeeding. He further emphasized that the land travelers should be well aware of the rules and regulations of the neighboring country they are visiting to avoid getting into an accident or receiving fines. Moreover, he mentioned the car tint rules in other countries as well as the consequences of exceeding the speed limit. The Traffic and Patrol Department recently launched a campaign through which they spread awareness about safety rules by distributing leaflets and also carried out an inspection of the vehicles at different checkpoints. Share your opinion with us regarding this hefty penalty and tell us how the UAE residents can be educated more about traffic violations and road safety.

The number of accidents on the roads of Ras Al Khaimah has significantly been reduced, thanks to the installation of the new and advanced radar systems. From May to July 2017, approximately 2,285 road accidents were recorded in Ras Al Khaimah while the recent observation from May to July this year, revealed that this number has been reduced to 1,750 accidents which is 23.4 percent less compared to last year. Brigadier Dr. Mohammed Saeed Al Humaidi, director of the central operations of RAK Police stated that this reduction in the number of accidents is due to the new radar systems. He further mentioned that additional traffic patrols have been positioned on key places including Qussaidat, Nakheel, Corniche Al Qawasim, Old Ras Al Khaimah, Mohammed bin Salem, and the roads near the Airport. He also pointed out that with the installation of these radar system and high technology cameras, the number of traffic violations has reduced as well. The amount of road causalities has dropped too following the new amendments to the traffic rules and regulations. Although the new rules seem to be tough for some, they definitely ensure the well-being and safety of every driver. Share your thoughts with us on this new development and tell us how beneficial it is for the residents of UAE.

Following the rise of robberies in Dubai’s industrial areas, the police have issued a warning stay alert against car thefts. The official announcement was made on Dubai Police Twitter account warning the drivers to not leave their vehicles unattended if the engine is running. Just a week earlier, Dubai police arrested four men who were caught stealing car batteries. According to the Al Bayan report, the gang specifically targeted two locations including Jebel Ali and Qusais industrial areas. On inspection, the thieves confessed to their crime and revealed that they sell the car batteries at a half price to make money. Have you been a victim to such a situation before? What action do you suggest the Dubai Police should take to prevent thieves from stealing cars and other equipment?

The Smart Car Rental service launched in Dubai in October 2017 initially consisted of 200 vehicles. However, 200 more vehicles have recently been added to the fleet following the increasing demand and the popularity of the service. The Smart Car Rental service allows users with the ‘eKar’ and ‘U Drive’ app to rent a car for up to six hours. The best part about the process is that no human intervention is involved and the users can get their vehicle refueled for free at Eppco and Adnoc service stations. Moreover, users can also avail free parking at designated RTA parking areas. The cost for rental is 50 fils per minute but if the car is returned to its starting point, it costs 40 fils per minute. The Smart Car Rental service is available at 45 different locations in Dubai including Rashidiya, Union, Burjman, Business Bay and Ibn Battuta Metro stations. To avail the service, the user is required to register on two smart apps and must have their Emirates ID, driving license, credit card, and a personal photograph. Visitors are asked to input the details of their passport, entry visa, driving license and credit card details. Share your experience with us if you have also used the Smart Car Rental service and let us know if you would recommend it to others as well.

The Lotus Cars return to Dubai with a brand-new 5,000 square foot showroom located on the Sheikh Zayed Road and just a few minutes drive away from the McLaren Showroom. Lotus previously had a showroom in Dubai Festival City which was opened in collaboration with Al-Futtaim group back in 2013 but unfortunately, it was closed now. This time, the automaker teamed up with Adamas Motors to open the new showroom in Dubai and it is the only Lotus showroom in the UAE. The establishment can accommodate and display up to 10 cars at a time. Moreover, it includes a configuration room where buyers can modify their car by selecting the different trim option as well as a customer lounge for important meetings. Adamas has also opened a car service facility nearby with the aim of offering excellent after-sales service and encourage clients to see how their vehicle will be serviced by trained professionals. Considering the fact that the some of the rare Lotus vehicles such as the Exige Cup 430 Type 25 and the 3-Eleven 430 are now present in the GCC region, the Middle East seems to be an important market for Lotus Cars to enter. Are you a Lotus fan as well? Do share with us your opinion about how the entry of Lotus in the Middle East market will affect other automakers.