Dubai: Quad bike accidents in desert areas continue to be a concern for authorities, although fatalities caused by them are low.
Between 2013 and 2015, one or two people died in quad bike accidents each year, and in 2016, a 20-year-old woman died in January following a quad bike accident.
Dubai Traffic Police launched the ‘Desert without blood’ campaign, to raise awareness on the dangers of driving quad bikes recklessly and without proper protective gear.
Maj Gen Mohammad Saif Al Zafein, Assistant to Dubai Police Chief for Operations’ Affairs, said the campaign follows the directives of Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai Crown Prince.
“The campaign will run until April 15. We will have teams in four areas: The Enoc petrol station in Al Warqa’a, Al Tai area, Al Jabal petrol station in Al Nazwa area and Academic City road,” he said.
The teams will distribute brochures and basic protective gear for those who want it.
Maj Gen Al Zafein said that the majority of quad bike accidents result in moderate to severe injuries and sometimes death.
“People take safety lightly and do not wear the basic protective gear, such as the helmet and knee guards. If people were more responsible and wore protective gear, there would be fewer accidents and the injuries would be less severe,” he explained.
“The only solution is creating special areas where police patrols can be present, as well as emergency services, and then issuing a law that bans the use of quad bikes in other areas. But, in the current state, all we can do is raise awareness,” he said. This will provide more control over people driving quad bikes recklessly.
Government departments, such as the Roads and Transportat Authority and Dubai Municipality, need to take the first steps in making this possible. “Our role as police is to provide support to the initiative, but we cannot do it on our own.”
Colonel Jamal Al Bannai, acting director of Dubai Traffic Police, said that they do not have separate statistics for injuries caused by quad bikes and those caused by motorcycles.
In 2014, the total number of accidents caused by motorcycles and quad bikes was 104, resulting in 124 injuries and 12 deaths.
In 2015, there were 126 accidents, resulting in 132 injuries and 10 deaths. Of the 132 injuries, 22 were severe, 56 were moderate and 54 were minor.
He said that they also impounded 67 quad bikes in 2015, an increase from 48 in 2014, for driving on the main road.
“People whose quad bikes are impounded can release their bikes if they pay Dh50,000 within three months. After three months the bikes are auctioned off. The fine is hefty, so it is a deterrent,” he said, adding that no one has ever paid to release his or her impounded bike.
The campaign’s brochure advises quad bikers to wear a helmet, eye protector, protective clothing for the torso, knee guards, gloves and boots. Keeping a first aid kit on hand is also advisable.
It also advises checking the fuel, brakes, tyres, battery, chain, belt and the oil filter of the bike before using it.
The campaign is in coordination with Dubai Municipality.
Statistics
2013
Impounded motorbikes: 268
Impounded quad bikes: 93
Number of fines issued to motorbikes: 320
(Quad bikes do not get find because they are not registered)
2014
Impounded motorbikes: 339
Impounded quad bikes: 48
Number of fines issued to motorbikes: 2022
2015
Impounded motorbikes: 1675
Impounded quad bikes: 67
Number of fines issued to motorbikes: 2927
