Image Credit : X / Abu Dhabi Police
Motorists across the UAE have been urged to strictly comply with school bus stop sign arms as more than one million students return to classrooms for the start of the second academic term.
Abu Dhabi Police issued a renewed warning on Monday, as around 1.1 million pupils from kindergarten to Grade 12 resumed studies following the winter break. With school transport services fully operational again, authorities confirmed that advanced radar systems fitted to school buses are now active and capable of electronically detecting violations.
Strict penalties for violators
Under UAE traffic regulations, drivers are required to stop when a school bus displays its extended stop arm while students are boarding or disembarking. On single-lane roads, motorists travelling in both directions must come to a complete stop at least five metres away from the bus. On multi-lane or two-way roads, vehicles moving in the same direction as the bus are required to stop, also maintaining the minimum five-metre distance.
Officials said motorists who breach Article 91 of the traffic law face a Dh1,000 fine and 10 black points on their driving licence.
A spokesperson for Abu Dhabi Police said intensified awareness campaigns are being rolled out alongside enforcement efforts to reduce accidents and protect children during peak school travel hours.
Automated enforcement and awareness campaigns
The measures form part of a wider road safety initiative coordinated with strategic partners to ensure students reach school safely. In addition to automated enforcement through bus-mounted radar systems, authorities have launched targeted safety briefings for school bus drivers, reinforcing key operating and child protection procedures.
According to the Ministry of Education calendar, the second term will run for nine weeks, covering 69 days. This includes 47 days of classroom learning and a three-day midterm break scheduled for February, supporting both academic progress and student wellbeing.
