UAE | Traffic and Transport
New proposal will speed handling of minor crashes
A mechanism to resolve minor traffic accidents among the motorists and insurance companies without need for the police is under consideration.
- By Siham Al Najami, Staff Reporter
- Published: 23:13 June 28, 2009
Dubai: A mechanism to resolve minor traffic accidents among the motorists and insurance companies without need for the police is under consideration.
Brigadier Mohammad Saif Al Zafein, Director of the Dubai Police Traffic Department, said there is at least one minor traffic accident every three minutes in Dubai, and each takes 10 to 15 minutes to resolve.
"Around 2.6 million seconds are lost annually to access simple, minor road accidents which can be resolved amicably among the motorists and insurance companies," he said.
He added that 99 per cent of minor accidents do not involve disputes.
During a press conference Brigadier Al Zafein said that the Traffic Department held a meeting with the Emirates Insurance Association to discuss the possibility of referring minor car accidents, which are not subject to dispute, directly to the insurance companies.
"This procedure is followed in many developed countries and has proven a success. The current system takes up a lot of time and effort of the police as well as of the drivers who can resolve the matter amicably along with the insurance company," he said.
Members of the insurance association have yet to discuss the proposal with the insurance companies on its practicality.
If the proposal is approved, the Traffic Department will train insurance companies on how to deal with, examine and access minor accidents, said Brigadier Al Zafein.
"They will also be provided with forms to fill out about the accidents. We are always available as a reference for the public and insurance companies," he said.
The department is also working on encouraging insurance companies to tailor their packages according to the traffic records of motorists.
"If motorists do not have a long record of accidents and fines then they should get better packages with lower prices while those with many violations should get higher prices. They will be very effective in reducing accidents," he said.
"I am not expecting this mechanism to succeed in its first year, if it's approved.
"I expect it will have many problems and complaints from people, but in the long run it will benefit all parties," he said.
For minor accidents, motorists can choose a day to meet at an insurance company within a week.
Motorists should always make sure to note down each other's plate numbers and contact details.
Violating laws: Police impound vehicles
Dubai Police have confiscated more than 2,500 vehicles wanted by Dubai Courts and Dubai Police's criminal investigation department (CID).
During the first five months, police seized 2,529 vehicles wanted by various departments, including 1,883 cars ordered by Dubai Courts in legal cases. Most of them are wanted in cases pertaining to delays in payments.
The remaining 646 cars were wanted by the CID, Traffic Department and other emirates for investigation in criminal and traffic cases. According to Major Eisa Ebrahim, head of the impounding cars department at the CID, many of these confiscated cars are kept at the Dubai Police Academy since there's no space in Al Ghusais.
- Staff Report
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