Speed limits in AD

[Jeff]

I don't get down there often and haven't had the chance to test it for myself. In fact, I'd rather not test it, which is why I'm writing. Someone here in Dubai said that posted speed limits in AD are the actual limits. So, 120kph means exactly that, and the camera will flash if you go 121kph. Here in Dubai and other Emirates, there is a 20kph buffer, so if the sign says 80 kph, you can safely drive up to 100 kph without being ticketed.

Is this so? Do I need to mentally recalibrate when I cross the AD border?

[zeemmee]

All the way to abudhabi the limit is 139 Max. But there are new construction zones where the limit goes down to 119 max. keep the roads clear by reaching early,Drive safe.

[refad]

In Dubai 20km grace u will get in highways or main roads , inside roads in the city grace limit is 10km and less

[Darshan]

Now i wonder whether these are GPS measured speeds or the sppedo on your cars??? I guess it is the gps.

[strawb]

good thing is they have a 50% discount on fines in abudhabi :011:

[caprihorse]

In general and we published it earlier here on this Forum, UAE police has the fines for speeding starting at exceeding 10 km/h. This is mainly for low speed areas, where they are posting mobile laser equipped radars, to catch innocent speeders and fill governmental budget.

All stationary radars are claimed to be set to 20 km/h above the road limit, which is true. Try it, if you have spare 600 Dhs, when you see a flash light, my experience confirms the fact. Additionally, if you look globally, how many radars has UAE installed, it would be extremely expensive to readjust all the radars on the roads to other speed limits, as every radar needs to be equipped with a certificate issued by certification body. This is by law.

AD is keeping their max. limit for 140 km/h, measured e.g. by Garmin, but when you drive 141 km/h, just smile, to have a nice photo.

[Wasif Ahmed]

OK here is what is the real story in Abu Dhabi .

The actual speed limit is the one posted on the round signs by the road and on this thre is a 20 KM tolerance so if you see a round speed limit sign sayinf 120KMPH you can safely drive up to 138 KMPH without any tickets.

Now there are another new type of speed limit boads up on the main highways. These are rectangular and have a green stripe on the bottom. They state Maximum speed 140 KMPH ( this will be on roads that have the old round signs saying Max speed 120 KMPH). These new boards are showing the speed limit WITH the tolerance INCLUDED so this is the final limit.

As a rule of the thump use the old round signs and add 18 KM to that to be within safe limits.

I drive at 138 ( on GPS) on roads that are posted 120 KMPH and 118 on roads posted 100 KMPH without any incidents so far.

There are some new cameras on the Salaam Street just after you enter Abu Dhabi where 120 KMPH is the limit but its poorly caliberated so I got a ticket at 117 KMPh once !

[Melfi]

GPS speed, 'cause 139kph on my friend's GPS looks like 149kph on my FJ and since I've met him, I haven't had one flash at those speeds.

Now, I am NOT admitting to you that I have ever tried such speeds... :-P

[Sarookh]

Once i was driving on the bypass and had the cruise control set to 138 km, i passed by the mobile camera and i was flashed, because i was sure i did not cross the limit i drove back and spoke to the policeman...conclusion he told me: the fixed camera trigger on 143 km and the mobile camera at 141 km.

Ps: i did not get the fine it was another car passing by me :013:

[caprihorse]

[quote=Melfi;17266]GPS speed, 'cause 139kph on my friend's GPS looks like 149kph on my FJ and since I've met him, I haven't had one flash at those speeds.

Now, I am NOT admitting to you that I have ever tried such speeds... :-P[/quote]
GPS speed is the most reliable value, as what you can see on your speedometer depends also on the size of the tyres fitted to your car. Normally manufacturer calculates speed based on the size of the tyres originally installed, e.g. between rims 16" or 17". The diameter of the wheel is calculated as 2xPIxr, so between both the difference is 2.3%. Now adding inaccuracy class for speedometer given by manufacturer of 10%, in the worst scenario, between the different cars, the maximum error could be around 15%.

The best way is to calculate the time between km poles on the highway by stopwatch [accuracy in ms] at constant speed for several kilometers, e.g 150 km/h and use the famous formula, v = distance / time [v=s/t] to compare your calculated results, with what is showing actually your speedometer.

And don't forget to smile, when doing this test. When something flashes around, they are not paparazzi :036:, but serious professional photographers.