Abu Dhabi: About 74 per cent of UAE residents think that penalties for drink-driving in the UAE are severe but most of them also feel they may be able to get away with it,
About 68 per cent of people think that the risk of being caught drink-driving is low, according to a recent survey conducted by 999 magazine, published by the Ministry of Interior.
The survey, which polled 1,850 UAE residents — both locals as well as expatriates — on their attitude towards drink-driving found that only less than a third (32 per cent) believe there is a high risk of getting caught for this offence.
But 96 per cent of respondents were against allowing drivers on the road even if they were only ‘slightly intoxicated’. Only four per cent said driving is permissible even if the driver is only ‘slightly intoxicated’.
Lt Colonel Awad Saleh Al Kindi, Editor-in-Chief of 999, said drink-driving is a serious offence and it not only endangers the life of the motorist concerned, but can also potentially harm the health and safety of other road users. The numerous campaigns being undertaken by police are having a positive effect, and residents are aware of the tough penalties for drink-driving violations, he said.
“A survey, however, reveals that despite a vast majority of residents supporting the government’s zero-tolerance stance on drink-driving, an alarming number of people still continue to indulge in this deplorable act, as evidenced by the statistics of respondents knowing of someone who indulged in drink-driving in the previous 12 months,” Al Kindi pointed out.
He was referring to the shocking revelation that 31 per cent of respondents claim to know of someone who indulged in drink-driving in the previous 12 months. This highlights the fact that despite the authorities’ widespread campaigns and strict penalties imposed on offenders, drink-driving remains a widespread problem in the UAE.
However, 90 per cent or 9 out of 10 residents consider drink driving as a road safety concern, with nearly 50 per cent of the respondents considering it as a ‘widespread problem’ in the country.
“On a positive note, we are pleased to know that most residents support the UAE’s stance on this issue. We hope that by pro-actively helping each other in raising awareness on this issue, we can successfully put a stop to this and effectively make the UAE an even safer place to live,” Al Kindi said.
A sizeable minority (26 per cent) participating in the survey said that penalties are not severe, suggesting that they would like to see stricter sentences handed out to offenders. But the police say the existing penalties can be very severe, depending on the damage caused by the offender.
In July 2010, a driver in Abu Dhabi was sentenced to 80 lashes and fined Dh26,000 for seven alcohol-related and traffic offences. He was convicted at the Criminal Court of First Instance for driving under the influence of alcohol, consumption of alcohol, possession of alcohol, violation of public decency, sudden swerving, violating traffic rule and damaging another vehicle.
