Dubai is all set to take hard measures against motorists who use dedicated bus and taxi lanes which will be rolled out in the city from May 1 this year. Motorists violating the norms would be fined Dh600 according to the police authorities.

Speaking at a conference, Major General Khamis Mattar Al Mazeina, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Dubai Police said, "Private motorists will not be allowed to drive on the dedicated bus and taxi lanes round-the-clock and the police will start issuing fines from May 15 after a comprehensive education campaign for the first two weeks."

Earlier, a conference was held by Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) in the city in which formal announcement to introduce new traffic norms for dedicated bus and taxi lanes was made.

However, police, ambulances and civil defense vehicles can use the dedicated lanes but private motorists are allowed to access and exit roads through U-turns. The road usage will be monitored by the police periodically for three months.

Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of the RTA expressed, "The roads have been selected after comprehensive survey of the public transport system and the congested areas. Similar lanes will be introduced in other areas in the next phases."