Ukmed1

Now my next mission is getting used to driving here and all the speed cameras, can anyone give me any tips on the rules of the road that are different from the UK and also any other things I should know.

p.s I drove on Corniche in Abu Dhabi today and everyone was flashing me to go faster but the limit said 60, is it true the cameras go off at 20 k above the posted limit, why is this ? and do they flash ?

Does that rule also apply to cameras

Ukmed1

Also can anyone Point to a site with pics of what the cameras look like?
Is there a site you can check if you been Caught?

flares

If you encounter an erratic local flashing you along the Corniche best thing to do is to form a protective forcefield around yourself and your car's occupants by raising your middle finger. For double protection against the extra aggressive raise both middle fingers but only do this if you are stationary or a passenger as you will need one hand on the wheel.

sherri

he deserves that!

Bahtatboy

Do you specialise in colo-rectal cancer?

Hello.Kitty

ooooo.... evil!

DON'T do that, please. That's be a DO NOT PASS GO moment.

People here seem to be in a hurry to remove themselves from the gene pool. Some will even flash you if you're going at 120kmph! The best thing you can do is just move out of their way and leave them to harass the next person they encounter.

Speed limits are per the signs. Yes, some of the cameras go off at 20 or even 40 over, but hey... are you in a rush to die too?

Oh, and the forcefield is actually activated by putting your hazard lights on. This can be done in any situation really and exempts you from the Highway Code (not that they really have one here). Fancy stopping abruptly on a dangerous corner to drop a passenger off? Pop your hazard lights on and it'll be fine! Don't want the dense fog to slow you down from 120kmph? Hazard lights... same same!

Bahtatboy

I suggest you stick to the limits, or with the speed of the general flow of traffic. There's only one permanent speed camera on the Corniche (I think), and like all the others its a grey metal box on a pillar in the central reservation, about 0.5m cube. However, they occasionally have mobile ones, which are basically SLRs on a tripod, again in the central reservation.

They are putting up average speed cameras, but they are not operative yet. However, there is, in theory, a copper sat behind every one of those small cameras on the square gantries throughout the city. Make sure you signal when you change lane, and don't do a left turn at lights other than from the correct lane.

Contrary to other posters' views (which I have respect for), my view is that some of the speed limits in town are impractical, but its certainly a good rule of thumb to obey the limits until you get a feel for things.

Don't get into altercations with other drivers. If they drive like twunts and try to involve you, just distance yourself from them. And don't make ANY hand gestures, or you might have have the opportunity to share some close time with a certain colo-rectal specialist if things pan out badly for him.

The only rules are: use common sense, don't stand out, and keep calm.

jackthehat

To be sure, follow an AUH Taxi! - They know where the cameras are!

Oyibopeppeh

Here's the link to the traffic fines site....just input your license plate or driving license data and Bob's yer uncle

http://www.adpolice.gov.ae/TrafficFi...spx?Culture=en

And DO NOT get into any sort of road rage or flick the V's or show the bird to a local! They will invariably try to block you in, or run you off the road and then call the police. A (woman) expat friend of my missus spent a month in jail after showing the middle finger to a local jockey, who did the above.

Bahtatboy

Sorry, that's not true. There's a newer style which are off-white boxes, about 1.5m high and about 0.5m square on plan. And the one just before AUH goes off a just over the 60 limit there.

Ukmed1

Thanks for the advice, Im used to doing friendly gestures like putting my hand up to say thanks or putting my hand out the window to signal, I'm guessing in this country that's not a good idea.

I don't really get mad and if I do I never show it by beeping my horn or swearing with my fingers.

Ukmed1

Just off the exit of e11 to yas island on the exit ramp the speed is 120 and then on the curve of thr exit it says 40 and there are two lanes with cameras over hanging the high sign they are very small and look like the would take a pic of the back of the car, less than 100 meters they are there Again and the sign now says 60 are they speed cams or traffic cams ?

Bahtatboy

Almost certainly average speed cameras, but I don't think the system's hooked up yet. As someone else said, following a taxi's a good idea.

Oyibopeppeh

The speed cams on Yas seem to be a bit more sensitive than most and tend to flash as low as 65kph

Maxima

No they dont. And many of the drivers are relative newcomers so they dont know many of the ways to find out radars.

Taxi Drivers in Dubai are much more aware.

The "gold and white " drivers are also "radar smart"

In general stay with the flow of traffic, and if you notice there is a legion of cars more than 200m away, and you are much faster than all the other cars behind you, theres a good chance there may be a radar nearby.