Dubai: A new traffic safety campaign was launched yesterday by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) in coordination with Dubai Police to educate drivers that any distraction — even for a second — can result in a fatal crash.
"While driving, even a few moments of distraction — sending text messages, looking at pictures on the phone or getting upset over a phone conversation — could result in fatalities," Major General Khamis Mattar Al Mazeina, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Dubai Police, said.
The campaign hopes to address three main areas of concern, namely speeding, use of mobile phones when driving and not using seat belts, Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of the RTA, said.
Enforcement
Al Mazeina said that the police will strengthen the enforcement mechanism and fine traffic rule violators with special focus on the offences highlighted in the campaign.
Persistent efforts by Dubai Police and the RTA have reduced road deaths by more than half over the past few years, officials said.
In 2007, road deaths stood at 21.7 per 100,000 population. By the end of this year, the ratio is expected to improve to seven per 100,000 population.
