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Dubai: Police will meet with managers of minibus companies to find reasons for the increasing recklessness by minibus drivers, costing the lives of many passengers.
Brigadier Mohammad Saif Al Zafein, Director of Dubai Police's Traffic Department, told Gulf News that two accidents involving minibuses in less than a week show some drivers do not care about the lives of their passengers and there is a lack of supervision by companies owning or renting minibuses.
His remarks came after 2 people were killed and 14 others injured Wednesday evening when the driver lost control of their overloaded minibus due to speeding, swerved and hit the concrete barrier, jumped to the opposite side of the road and turned over.
Five people were killed and four others sustained injuries in a similar accident on Sunday when a minibus swerved, hit the pavement in the middle of the road, flew to the opposite side of the road and was involved in a head-on collision with another car.
Brig Al Zafein said there is an ongoing campaign to crack down on errant minibus drivers who face heavy fines, confiscation of their driving licences and impoundment of the minibus.
"We will hold a meeting with the managers of minibus companies next week to discuss with them the reasons behind the increasing number of offences and accidents," he said.
He said while some minibus drivers abide by traffic rules and speed limits, there are drivers who violate these rules by speeding and overloading their minibuses, which endangers passengers.
Salah Bu Farousha, Head of Dubai Traffic Public Prosecution, said fatal accidents involving minibuses will happen again because of violations of traffic laws by minibus drivers.
He said overloading is a clear violation and drivers will be held responsible.
He reiterated his call to companies owning and renting minibuses to supervise drivers and educate them on the importance of abiding by traffic laws and speed limits. "Police cannot intensify their campaigns on all the roads and on every vehicle, as there are more than 300,000 vehicles on major roads. Therefore, companies must supervise the drivers," Bu Farousha said.
He said if companies see any problems they must address them immediately.
Compensation
Victims involved in road accidents may claim compensation from their insurance companies immediately and do not have to wait for the completion of public prosecution procedures.
Salah Bu Farousha, Head of Dubai Traffic Public Prosecution, said according to the traffic law, injured victims in any road accident may claim compensation from their insurance companies without having to wait for completion of procedures.
He said ten victims of Wednesday's accident were discharged from hospital yesterday after receiving treatment, while the condition of two others, including the Pakistani driver is still critical.
Bu Farousha said the Traffic Public Prosecution ordered that the victims' bodies be handed to their relatives immediately, while the driver will be in custody until he recovers and will be referred to the traffic court. He said the public prosecution asked for a blood test to determine whether he was under the influence of alcohol.
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