RTA annuls Salik fines up to October 31, implements new quality control system

Salik has also revoked all fines during 2007 on subscribed and unsubscribed motorbike users and fines will be levied on violations from January 1, 2008.

This follows a total review by RTA of all Salik toll violations during the year. Motor vehicle users also do not have to settle their Salik fines for completing their vehicle registration.

H.E. Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman and CEO - RTA, said that RTA has conducted an in-depth review of all Salik related fines as a sign of goodwill to motorists. RTA will now allow motorists to verify their fines and settle them, thus avoiding any delay in registration caused due to Salik fines.

"RTA has an updated and integrated system to monitor the fines before issuing them to Salik subscribers," he said. "A special system for complaints has also been introduced by RTA. Motorists can now check the validity of their fines by visiting the licence registration centres of RTA in Al Barsha, Al Qusais and Deira. These procedures reflect the transparency of RTA in dealing with the public."

Al Tayer said that RTA is using state-of-the-art technologies in issuing Salik fines, and the Authority will provide motorists two working days before imposing a fine. This will give motorists more time to recharge their accounts or subscribe to Salik, as the case may be.

Motorists who do not wish to use the toll roads can use the Business Bay crossing which has 13 lanes and connects the Airport tunnel with Sheikh Rashid and Al Khail roads; he Maktoum bridge which has been extended to 11 lanes; the Shandagha Tunnel; the Dubai Crossing Road, which links Sharjah with Abu Dhabi; the Emirates Road that has been expanded from 3 to 6 lanes; and the floating bridge, which links the end of Al Ittihad Street near City Centre to Al Riyadh Street in Bur Dubai.

The floating bridge also helps manage the traffic on Al Maktoum Bridge considerably as it can take up to 6,000 vehicles during rush hour. He said that number of lanes at the Dubai Greek has been increased from 19 lanes in 2006 to 40 in 2007 and expected to reach 48 lanes in 2008.

RTA is undertaking a multilingual campaign to highlight the features of Salik and give an overview of how to subscribe to Salik.