Police in Abu Dhabi will fine drivers stopping at the roadside to pray (Picture: CEN)

Exasperated police in Abu Dhabi will now fine drivers who randomly stop in the middle of a road to pray.

Officers in the United Arab Emirates capital say they see far too many drivers risking serious accidents by praying at the roadside.

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Abu Dhabi’s police force issued an official warning that drivers stopping in disallowed locations would be fined 1,000 AED (£190).

Islam is the most prevalent religion in the UAE and it requires worshippers to pray five times a day – predawn, midday, afternoon, sunset and at night.


Deputy director of the city’s traffic department Salah Abdullah Al Humairi pointed out that devoted drivers could use mosques at a wide variety of locations.

Exasperated police want worshippers to wait until they find somewhere safe to pray (Picture: Getty)

He said prayer facilities could be found at roadside rest rooms, petrol stations and residential areas.



There was therefore no need for any driver to risk their own safety and that of other road users by stopping in undesignated places to pray, he said.

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Under an amended traffic law, stopping a vehicle on a junction or corner or failing to take safety precautions in the event of a breakdown are both punishable by a 500 AED (£95) fine.

Parking in a way that endangers other people can attract a fine of 400 AED (£76)

Officers were particularly concerned about bus drivers leaving their large vehicles in inappropriate places for passengers to get out and pray.