Safety in Dubai

Dubai is often hailed as being a crime-free zone. However, this is not entirely accurate. While it is true that the Emirate is a safe place to work and live, crime of course, happens everywhere and vigilance is required. Dubai is though, in contrast to other highly populated cities, a secure environment and crimes against people and reports of violent crime are extremely rare. Burglaries can occur, especially during the summer months when many expat families return to their home country, leaving houses vacant. On the other hand, it is considered perfectly safe to walk around late at night and to take taxis. Women on their own are not considered to be ‘targets’ or at risk. The penalties for breaking laws in Dubai are severe.

 

The biggest threat to safety is on the roads. Driving in Dubai is not for the faint-hearted and the emirate has one of the highest road death tolls in the world. Everyday there are reports of serious, often fatal, accidents on the highways. Although there are financial penalties for dangerous driving and speeding, they are well within most people's financial means and therefore do not provide a successful deterrent. Those involved in a traffic collision, however minor, are required by law to contact the police immediately and stay with the vehicle until they arrive. Dubai operates a zero-tolerance policy with regard to drink driving. There is no such thing as a ‘legal limit’ and drink driving offences are punishable by at least a month in jail.

 

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