Dubai: Traffic prosecutors say they are determined to stamp out drink-driving and impose tougher sentences after recent statistics showed 81 per cent of drivers involved in dangerous or major incidents this year were found to be under the influence.
In the first six months of 2011, the Dubai Traffic Misdemeanor Court suspended or revoked a total of 591 licences for motorists involved in dangerous and major accidents.
Of these, 478 were revoked or suspended in drink-driving incidents, according to Senior Chief Traffic Prosecutor, Salah Bu Farousha, Head of Dubai Traffic Public Prosecution (TPP).
"According to recent statistics, nearly 81 per cent of the licences, which were revoked and/or suspended upon court rulings, belonged to drivers involved in drinking-driving cases. Those figures were from accidents that happened between January and June 2011. TPP will relentlessly work on diminishing that percentage as we will be sternly taking legal action against drunken drivers and other motorists who violate traffic laws. The average has been normal during the past two years," Bu Farousha told Gulf News yesterday.
The percentage of driving licences being revoked or suspended for drink-driving suspects, according to Bu Farousha, has been under control. Records show 30 people, who were convicted in fatal accident cases, had their licences revoked or suspended or were banned from renewing their licences for various periods.
TPP's statistics also showed the court revoked licences — in the aforementioned category — of 16 drivers for one year, and licences of 14 drivers for six months. Four drivers were banned from renewing their licences for one year each.
Four-year ban
"The number is under control and normal due to our persistence and vigilance in litigating dangerous drivers. Drink-driving suspects could have their licences revoked for a maximum [of] two years and be banned from renewing their licences or from getting a new one for another two years. That makes them subject to a four-year driving ban," Bu Farousha said.
"In the arraignment sheets, traffic prosecutors constantly ask the court to impose the maximum punishment [four years] against dangerous and reckless drivers. Punishments are decided upon the judge's discretion," he added.
According to records, 90 drivers had their licences revoked for one year and others had their licenses revoked for periods varying between three and six months. Eighteen drivers were banned from renewing their licences or having new licences issued by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).
The TPPchief said court rulings, to revoke licences or ban drivers from renewing their licences, were immediately implemented in cooperation with RTA.
"We do whatever it takes to enforce the traffic law perfectly and stringently. We do so to protect lives and protect public and private properties from being unnecessarily wrecked." Bu Farousha said.
