UAE | Traffic and Transport

Caught: Cars speeding over 240km/h

Abu Dhabi Police impound two vehicles and warn motorists of stiff penalties

  • By Iman Sherif, Staff Reporter
  • Published: 00:00 December 20, 2011
  • Gulf News

  • Image Credit: Ahmed Kutty/Gulf News archive
  • A speeding car in Abu Dhabi. An investigation is under way to determine whether a manufacturing error or weather conditions led to the cruise control jamming in a motorist's vehicle cruising at 160km/h.

Abu Dhabi: Violators beware — your recklessness will not go undetected and unpunished. Two vehicles were caught last week excessively speeding, putting Abu Dhabi roads and residents in danger.

The radar caught a car speeding at 252 kilometres per hour while the other was travelling at a speed of 244km/h.

"The two vehicles were impounded. Such a dangerous violation is punishable by a fine that can reach Dh2,000 in addition to 12 black points and a confiscation of the vehicle for a month," said Major Mohsin Al Manhali, Head of the Highways and Roads Section of the Abu Dhabi Police Traffic and Patrols Department.

Major Al Manhali called on people to refrain from reckless driving, respect the speed limit, be attentive and comply with traffic regulations for their safety and the well-being of society.

A network of sophisticated radars monitor the streets of Abu Dhabi. To give an example of the speeding problem in the capital, Major Al Manhali said the mobile radar "sniper" recorded 3,389 speeding violations on the highways from Abu Dhabi to Dubai, Al Ain and Tarif in one month last June.

"Speed is a major contributor to car accidents. The speed limit on the highways from Al Ghuwaifat to Dubai is 140km/h and 80km/h for trucks," Al Manhali said.

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Travellers needed to take care and anticipate unexpected road and traffic conditions and leave enough space between vehicles, he added.

"Adhering to the speed limit will spare society a significant amount of accidents," he said.

Traffic accidents caused 263 deaths in 2011, while 1,829 accidents led to injuries and 327 cars flipping over.

Under the theme "Don't end your life with a car crash", Major Al Manhali urged all motorists to abide by traffic regulations, ensure their vehicles are safe to drive, and comply with recommended air pressure for tyres as this changes when driving long distances in hot weather — increasing the likelihood of a blowout.

Awareness campaigns

Brigadier Hussain Al Harthi, Director of Abu Dhabi Traffic and Patrol Department at Abu Dhabi Police, said that speeding, sudden swerving, reckless driving, inattention, not leaving enough space between vehicles and burst tyres were the major reasons behind road accidents in Abu Dhabi.

"Eleven awareness campaigns took place in the past nine months that included 153 lectures on safety practices. Abu Dhabi Police broke the record for the largest awareness lecture in the world and qualified for the Guinness world record," he added.

"Abu Dhabi Police is paying visits to families and directly advising motorists on safe driving and mothers on how to safely handle children in cars," Brigadier Al Harthi added.

Comments (11)

  1. Added 20:42 December 20, 2011

    For some, paying 100,000 Dh as a fine is a small amount. Hence, i request the authorites that apart from heavy fine for reckless drivers, their licence should be taken away for one year.

    Mansur , Dubai, United Arab Emirates

  2. Added 17:38 December 20, 2011

    Voilaters should be punished, that will be the lesson for others, especially reckless drivers and those drive the vehicle with bad noise (with accelerating)

    muhsin, dubai, United Arab Emirates

  3. Added 16:41 December 20, 2011

    I agree with Raza, people driving slow on top lanes are also main causes of accident as others overtake them from wrong side, there should be a speed limit for 1st lane or people on the fast lane driving slow should learn to move aside and let other passby, be safe and live safe....bingo!

    Anonymous, dxb, United Arab Emirates

  4. Added 12:51 December 20, 2011

    Try doing that in New Zealand... new laws give the police the power to crush your vehicle!

    Anonymous, Levrier, United Kingdom

  5. Added 12:34 December 20, 2011

    i will request the authorities take action against those who drive cars that by accelerating make bad noise, which makes problems for heart disease patients, as well as infants. also its a noise pollution.

    ali, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

  6. Added 12:15 December 20, 2011

    The core problem is with changing lanes at high speeds and blocking the overtaking lane! In idle traffic conditions the first lane is an over-taking lane! But there are drivers who would block that lane and create a pile up or cause other drivers to criss cross lanes to over take the car. Major accidents are mainly due to this manoeuvre.

    Anonymous, Al Ain , United Arab Emirates

  7. Added 10:15 December 20, 2011

    The idea of restricting speed within the car itself rather than relying on people's discretion on speed control is excellent idea and basic of risk control. However, the concept of minimum speed is not advisable as everyone drives as per his instinct on control of vehicle or appetite for risk. No one drives the car slow deliberately, especially newly learnt drivers need to be cautious in the begining before they acquire sufficient proficiency and self-confidence. The other idea is to restrict them i.e. slow drivers (below certain speed) to right lane.

    Meraj Uddin, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

  8. Added 10:15 December 20, 2011

    they should also confiscate their drivers license for a month as people who drive at these speeds are playing with other people's lives.

    Anonymous, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

  9. Added 09:38 December 20, 2011

    240km, WOW. While I was in the UAE, I couldn't drive over 120km :D, and still that got me involved in a freaky accident once. I don't know how or why people get the courage to risk such fast speeds and endanger themselves and the people around.

    kazim, karachi, Pakistan

  10. Added 09:28 December 20, 2011

    This is a well commended effort, but I hope the rule applies to everyone.

    Guerrero, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

    11. View more comments

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