Abu Dhabi: Traffic accidents caused by jumping the red light at intersections have gone down by 29 per cent in Abu Dhabi during the eight months from January 1 to August 31, compared with the same time last year.
About 6,350 vehicles were caught jumping the red light during this period.
“The drop in traffic accidents caused by jumping red lights at intersections is due to the installation of smart and modern control systems and advanced traffic control cameras at intersections,” said Brigadier Ali Khalfan Al Daheri, general manager of central operations at Abu Dhabi Police.
Jumping the red signal is classified among dangerous offences. The offenders’ licence is confiscated for 15 days and a Dh800 fine is imposed. He or she gets eight black points also.
Therefore, motorists should be very cautious and slow down at intersections for their own safety and safety of others, he added.
Advanced traffic control cameras use infrared technology and cover five lanes on each side of the road.
Apart from catching motorists jumping the red light, the cameras also cover pedestrian crossings, and other violations such as overtaking at intersections, speeding and sudden changing of lanes, etc, Brig Al Daheri pointed out.
Brigadier Al Daheri called on motorists, especially youth, to abide by traffic laws and avoid speeding at intersections.
Al Daheri also warned motorists against tailgating [not leaving a safe distance between cars] and speeding to cross the signal when it turns from green to yellow, as well as being distracted by using the phone while driving, which can result in fatal traffic accidents.
