UAE Social Media Influencer Convicted for Reckless Driving

Incident Overview

A social media influencer in the UAE has been convicted for driving recklessly on a public road in the capital, Abu Dhabi. The stunt, filmed to garner views, has resulted in hefty fines of AED 100,000 each for the influencer and his friend, imprisonment for three months, and the confiscation of the car and mobile phones used in the incident. Additionally, both individuals have been denied social media access for six months, and the driver’s license has been confiscated.

Details of the Reckless Act

The incident came to light when UAE authorities spotted a video circulating online, showing the influencer driving his luxury vehicle at speeds of 205 km/h on one of the main inner streets of Abu Dhabi Island. In the video, the influencer brags about his vehicle, which police believe could encourage others to engage in similar reckless driving.

Legal Implications

The Abu Dhabi Public Prosecution has stated that racing cars on public streets is extremely irresponsible and poses serious risks to both the driver and the public. They emphasized the need for educational and community agencies to collaborate with authorities and raise awareness about the dangers of reckless driving among young people.

Penal Code Article 348

The Abu Dhabi Public Prosecution noted that Article 348 of the Federal Penal Code states that anyone who willfully commits an act that endangers people's lives, health, security, or freedom shall be punished with imprisonment of up to three years and a fine, or with either of these two penalties.

Call for Responsibility Among Influencers

The authority appealed to social media stars to act responsibly regarding the content they share with their audiences, as many of their followers are teenagers who look up to them as role models.

Source: Khaleej Times