Dubai: A 21 per cent reduction in road fatalities in Dubai as compared to the previous year is being attributed to the strict enforcement of traffic rules and fines by the police.
According to Major General Mohammad Saif Al Zaffein, director of the General Department of Traffic of Dubai Police, the figure is a "very positive" indication of the deterrent effect of the black-point system of traffic fines and the increased number of radars on Dubai roads.
Since the beginning of the year until November 24, the traffic department registered 202 fatalities as against 257 deaths over the same period last year, he said.
The statistics show a drop in fatalities to 10.8 for every 100,000 people as compared to 15.68 deaths in 2008.
Awareness
Over a million drivers were fined during the first ten months of this year and over 1,119 vehicles were confiscated after drivers exceeded the maximum number of black points, which is 24.
The figures compare favourably with statistics from some developed countries. Road fatalities reported in Sweden averaged six for every 100,000 of the population, and 10 in Spain for every 100,000.
More than 95 traffic police patrol units positioned around Dubai work on three shifts to keep track of the traffic flow and violations.
Traffic awareness campaigns such as "the safety crossing campaign" for labourers have also played a significant part in educating the public about road safety regulations. More than 250,000 people benefited from lectures on road safety and came away informed on the dangers and the legal implications of crossing roads at undesignated areas. The traffic department conducts around 12 awareness campaigns annually.
According to Major General Al Zaffein, the number of radars installed on roads across Dubai have more than doubled this year to reach around 500. Members of the public have also been involved in road safety drives, he said, explaining how fines are being issued based on road violations reported to the traffic department on the toll-free number 8004353.
Some 1,500 cameras positioned in different areas of Dubai and connected to the operations room, have helped enforce 28,708 fines, he said.
More than 800 objections were raised by the public about traffic fines during the first ten months of this year. "Every person is entitled to object to their traffic fines and we have a committee at the traffic department to examine these objections from the public to determine their legitimacy. If the objection turns out to be correct, then we immediately cancel it, otherwise the motorist is required to pay the fine," he said.
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