Abu Dhabi has issued a warning to motorists in Abu Dhabi, as children returned to school
As schools reopen and morning routines kick back in, Abu Dhabi Police is sending a clear, no-nonsense reminder to drivers: when a school bus extends its ‘STOP’ sign, you stop, full stop.
It might feel like a small thing, especially if you’re in a rush, but this rule is all about protecting children at their most vulnerable moments, getting on and off the bus. When that stop arm is out, kids may be crossing the road, sometimes suddenly and without checking both ways.
That’s why the law requires motorists in both directions to halt completely and keep at least five metres distance from the bus.
Ignore it, and it’s not just risky, it’s costly. The penalty is a AED1,000 fine plus 10 black points on your license. Authorities are being firm because the consequences of not stopping can be far worse than any fine.
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In a recent awareness push, police demonstrated the correct behavior: no inching forward, no trying to squeeze past, and definitely no attempt to beat the sign. Just stop, wait patiently, and move only when the sign retracts and the road is clear.
With more cars back on the road during school hours, traffic around schools is about to get busier, and more unpredictable. That’s exactly when drivers need to stay sharp, slow down, and expect the unexpected.
Those extra few seconds you spend waiting could mean everything to a child crossing the street safely.
So, the next time you see that red stop sign swing out from a school bus, treat it like the most important signal on the road.
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