Dubai: Taxis in Dubai will soon be equipped with Bluetooth hands-free calling systems as part of the Roads and Transport Authority’s (RTA) road safety programmes.

RTA has tied up with a leading Bluetooth headset provider, Jabra, to equip the taxis with the new system.

As many as 500 of more than 3,200 taxis operated by RTA’s Dubai Taxi Corporation (DTC) will be Bluetooth-enabled in the first phase, while more taxis will be upgraded in the next phase.

“DTC is committed to ensure and enhance drivers’ and passengers’ safety. We are working very hard on enforcing and training our drivers on traffic safety. Taxis play an important role in society, which is why we believe we have a responsibility towards ensuring safety on the roads. Joint marketing campaigns such as this make our drivers’ work easier and safer, and are a great opportunity to raise safety awareness,” Acting CEO of DTC Ahmad Mohammad Al Hammadi told Gulf News.

As part of the larger campaign to raise awareness, RTA, in association with Jabra, will launch a road safety campaign from September 15.

The project will see Jabra UAE offering BT2045 headsets to 500 DTC drivers, while hosting competitions for 30 days from September 15 to October 15 on the Jabra UAE Facebook page.

As many as 20 Bluetooth devices will be up for grabs in the safety awareness campaign.

Al Hammadi claimed that DTC prohibits drivers from holding mobile phones in their hands other than to pass the phone to the passenger while driving. The penalty for mobile phone use is three demerit points (or four if the offence occurs in a school zone) plus a fine.

“We aim at helping the drivers in Dubai drive safely on the road without the distraction of a hand-held device. Jabra understands that it is not safe to use a hand-held device while driving, and neither is it legal. However, there are times when we have to make calls while driving, and Bluetooth headsets and in-car speakerphones connect with all mobile devices, offering the driver a hands-free conversation,” Ahmad Al Kalliny, Area Director at Jabra, said.

 

Safe driving tips:

• Always use a hands-free device if you have to take or make calls while driving

• Prepare for every journey. Do ensure that your headset or speakerphone is switched on and connected before you start driving so you are ready to answer any unexpected calls.

• If it is not necessary, please avoid talking on the phone. If making calls while driving is necessary, ensure that your commonly used numbers are programmed into your headset so that you aren’t distracted while driving.

• Set up voice-activated dialling on your hands-free solution so you don’t have to take your eyes off the road to dial an entire number.

• Keep your calls short, and avoid having any difficult or emotional conversations while driving.

• Always remember, driving comes first, not the conversation. Give priority to driving and deliberately make it a point to indicate and look over your shoulder even while you are talking.