UAE | Traffic and Transport

New campaign targets bad driving practices

Use of mobile phones during driving and speeding to be addressed in new campaign

By Rayeesa Absal, Staff Reporter
Published: 00:00 December 14, 2011

Book in one hand and a mobile phone in the other, even as he is driving

Image Credit: Gulf News
Time: 12.30pm
Where: Hamdan Street, Abu Dhabi
Violation: Book in one hand and a mobile phone in the other, even as he is driving!

Image 1 of 2: 1 2

Dubai: Every second counts while driving and even a momentary distraction could result in loss of lives, senior traffic and police officials said on Tuesday, kicking off a road safety campaign.

The campaign was launched by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), in cooperation with Dubai Police.

"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: speeding, use of mobile phones during driving and seat belts, Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of the RTA, said.

"The persistent efforts of authorities have paid off in significantly bringing down traffic fatalities," he said.

"In 2007, traffic fatalities hit 21.7 cases per every hundred thousand of the population. The number declined to about 12.7 cases per hundred thousand of the population in 2009 — which is a 54.2 per cent drop."

More Pictures

In pictures: Driven to distraction on our roads

Comments (19)

Added 19:52 December 14, 2011

this is good safty for pepole .so i am agree.

saif, abudabai, Bangladesh

Added 19:43 December 14, 2011

During Ramadan around 4 i was driving with my kid while in the Ajman roundabout a car tried to change the lane i altered the driver by horn.but i guess the driver found this very offensive that he started speeding up in front and then suddenly stopping .. i tried changing lane but he wouldn't let me and in full speed change his lane as well my car went out of control as i applied brakes i got panic as my kid also started crying .. the tinted car driver literally tried his best to kill us?? who is responsible for this behavior??? fines will not change these people attitude

Anonymous, sharjah, United Arab Emirates

Added 17:26 December 14, 2011

There is only one solution to tackle such behaviour on the roads...........confiscate the licenses and do not return them before two or three months.....or even better ban such drivers from every driving on the road.....this may sound a bit too harsh or extreme....but if you ask me it should work......better safe than sorry....

Melwyn Serrao, Doha, Qatar

Added 17:06 December 14, 2011

I am totally agreed with Alex, I observed that many people in fast lane they flashing the car whose speed 130km/hr putting pressure to change the lane, they don’t think even clear passage is available for front vehicle, suddenly changing the lane because of pressure of follow vehicle and get accident. This is a serious issue Dubai police should look in the matter for catching these vehicles & put them hefty fines.

Anonymous, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Added 16:38 December 14, 2011

flash light is very dangerous in evening time. because when they are flashing from behind we can not see in front its like blinding. such lighst are only used in expensive cars. it must not allowed in uae. one thing dubai `s driver are more respectfully driving actually when we are on the road we have to respect each other and must be forgiving in case any one does a mistake. thanks.

OLI, DUBAI, United Arab Emirates

Added 16:05 December 14, 2011

It is once again disappointing to notice that depsite the fact that the majority of drivers systematically dirve on the left side of the road even when the road has 5 driving lanes, nobody speaks about it and realises it is the main cause of overtaking from the right side. When will the authorities start paying attention to that and start educating dirivers?????

Jean, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Added 15:46 December 14, 2011

I agree with Alex's comment, there are many more causes of accidents than just speeding. Many times I too have witness drivers almost causing accidents by being inattentive or simply ignorant of other road users.

Anonymous, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Added 14:01 December 14, 2011

I completely agree with Mr .Vipin kumars Anonymous and Alex comments on their stand on Bad driving Habits. Each day i come cross atleast 3 people talking over the phone while driving. As Vipin stated we read this almost every day but are motorists following the rules and regulations. How are the authoritys going to track these motorists down who are talking and driving. Today i had to honk at a driver i nfront who was using his cell and driving . when he saw me he was pretending as if he was not talking . I immediately Jotted the plate no down , Called up the company and almost fired the receptionist and the manager. Some motorists would not even bother even if you honk and they just tend to flout the rules ignoring others who are driving behind and in front. there is lack of respect and lack of obedience on the roads and the attitude has to change now. I was almost going to call the cops giving the plate number down but then i decided to call the company and complain. Experts who know where the radars are placed act over smart and once they pass the radar they speed off. is this what you have been taught at your driving classes? I have decided to keep an eye on those who will be talking and driving so that i can forward the plate numbers to the cops. Lets see what we can do.

Mathew Litty, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Added 13:51 December 14, 2011

I have to make a request to RTA,i m living in Al-Nahda-2 Dubai,near N.M.C.Hospital,there is an Emarat petrol station on the same street(on the side road) where there is N.M.C.Hospital is located,now that petrol station is surrounded by 4 turnings,the view of this area is very clear from my balcony,and I use that same road thrice a day to pick and drop my kids for school and obviously lot other people and school busses also use this route as there are plenty of schools in this area,the speed limit on this road is 40,and I believe no-one follows it,as a result almost every week I witness accidents exactly on the same place,and once it happened thrice a week and then I presumed that now definitely RTA would definitely take some action and will take any measures to prevent these collisions but unfortunately nothing was done. I have a suggestion,according to my limited thinking,if they can only built speed breakers/humps on all those 4 turnings,the amount of these crashes can easily be controlled.I would really appreciate if this can be forwarded to the related authorities and anything productive can be done in this regard.Thank you.

Muneeba Othman, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Added 13:45 December 14, 2011

in abu dhabi city you can see a Taxi in more than 80% of accidents. because they stop the car anywehre on the road if they see a passenger without looking behind. there should be a fine to passenger & taxi driver if they stops other than allowed taxi stops

Anonymous, abudhabi, India