Most motorists flout ban against driving and talking

Dubai: Most motorists in the UAE ignore the law against driving and speaking on the mobile phone, the same as their counterparts in the UK, but Britain on Thursday announced it will jail drivers under tough new rules.

Using a hand-held mobile was banned in 2003 in Britain, but it is estimated that half a million motorists flout the rule very day.

Though the Ajman Police Chief, Brigadier Ali Alwan, said the UAE is "strict" in implementing the no-mobile rule, most motorists ignore it and rather pay the Dh150 fine. "Did you know the fine in UK is £5000 (Dh37,000)," he said. "Driving and speaking is very dangerous and has caused many accidents," said the police chief.

There are no statistics available on the number of accidents caused by mobile users on the UAE roads.

Dubai has been trying to get motorists to use hands-free with a two-week campaign held last month. But Dubai Police Chief Lieutenant General Dahi Khalfan was sceptical about its success initially. "I know many people might not respond at the beginning, but we will try and send a strong message," he said.

Most motorists say they find hands-free inconvenient and cannot afford built-in equipment in their vehicles.

According to news reports, drivers who adjust their satellite navigation equipment, fiddle with their mp3 players or send text messages could also be put behind bars in Britain.