From afar, they look like the real deal – if not a little two-dimensional….

What looks like a police car, flashes its lights like a police car, but is not in fact a police car?

Answer: a perfectly-positioned ploy from UAE police that even has the motorists that have been caught out driving badly tipping their hats in approval according to The National.

This proves that sometimes the simplest solutions are the most effective…

Speeding drivers in Umm Al Quwain have been fooled into hitting the brakes at the sight of a (pretty realistic) cardboard cutout of a police car parked by the side of the road, The National reports.

It’s complete with an authentic paint job and flashing lights – and although it’s lacking a bit in depth and substance, from a distance you could easily mistake the imitation as a genuine patrol car.

Where will you find it? Well, on Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road: it’s been visible to those heading northbound on the traffic-heavy E311.

The Umm Al Quwain police have given a resounding “no comment” on the success of the gimmick, according to The National.

We’re sure their patience with our terrible cardboard puns are probably wearing a bit thin, though…

Have you spotted the cardboard car around on your travels? If so, let us know in the comments below…

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Photo: Getty Images