Driven to distraction on our roads

Added 19:04 October 12, 2011

RTA or Police need to open a hotline were we can complaint to authorities if we find traffic violation like changing line without indicator, entering from hard shoulder, zigzag driving etc. Then the law-enforcing agency should call traffic violator and warm them. If there is three complaints against a particular vehicle or driver within a span of 3 months. Then the vehicle should be impounded and driving licence suspended for at least one month. Any amount of fine will not change the habit of rash drivers.

Syed Fazeel, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Added 18:44 October 12, 2011

I think most of the pictures are taken while waiting on a signal. I think its not a crime to check any sms and drinking water during a halt. But the baby and mother sitting on the front seat, taking photographs etc are punishable.

Anonymous, Ashraf, United Arab Emirates

Added 18:27 October 12, 2011

I agree with some of the pictures above which r violating the laws... but many of the pictures r not violating the law... Drinking water when the car has stopped at a signal or in a traffic is not violation of law in any means... Driving with children in the front seat, not wearing a seat belts, using of a mobile r the cases of violation and putting lives in danger.. |salaam|.

Mohsin, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Added 17:54 October 12, 2011

Speeding fines seem to do nothing here - I see people always going faster the the specified limit. It is meant to be 140km/hr max on Abu Dhabi Highway but still no one does this - they are all doing 150 - 160km/hr. I think the penalites have to be higher and the police have to pull people over and explain to them what they have done wrong - this is an inconvenience the driver will not easily forget. Also people refuse to queue here and that just causes worse traffic jams as they are pulling in at the last minute thus holding up all the people who have been patiently waiting - this is not acceptable driving. The solution here is not easy as the driving and attitudes are really so bad.

Anonymous, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Added 16:35 October 12, 2011

RTA should also enforce strict penalties like Abu Dhabi for not only use of mobiles but for all actions by the driver which can put his and others' life also in danger.During morning drive to office, I have seen lot of ladies doing make up like wearing lipstick , looking at the sun visor mirror. Also many people are seen having breakfast, holding coffee mug in one hand and so on in addition to people speaking on mobile phone without hands free set..All these actions should be penalized heavily.

Jayadeep Divakaran, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Added 16:33 October 12, 2011

Most of these are traffic violations. I chose to differ with Mr. Mohsin from sharjah who says that peoples privacy is more important than someone's life. Most shocking is a mother sitting in the front seat with a child. Authorities should come down heavily on parents who put their young ones at risk like this.

Anonymous, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Added 16:02 October 12, 2011

I strongly believe that people cannot quit usage of mobile phone while on car and it is quite impractical to fine these people .It would rather be better if the rta could implement the use of inbuilt bluetooth system for the cars.It is not so expensive either.

Anonymous, ALAIN, United Arab Emirates

Added 15:49 October 12, 2011

Technology is very advanced. Please freeze all mobile and radio frequency on rush area roads within 10 meters.we can also protect pedestians if it''s implemented.

Anonymous, abu dhabi, India

Added 15:22 October 12, 2011

The Govt and Dubai Police are doing their best to control these kind of violations, I feel to make it more effective they should implement a system where any one who witnesses this should take a photo on his mobile and forward that to the Police Dept to take legal action.

Anonymous, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Added 14:52 October 12, 2011

Those who are supporting these kind of activities deserve proper punishment by authorities. Besides that, Police should be more strict and introduce some community punishment e.g suspend license temporarily and force to do some social work in public (like: hold some awareness & confess banner and stand out of the sun for few days) Sample awareness/confess banner : "i am a traffic rule offender & having this punishment. please follow traffic rule and save the mankind"

Fazl, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Added 14:04 October 12, 2011

A gr8 job done by the 2 photo graphers. its so very sad and distressing that we still have such ignorant people dirving around on the streets of the UAE with scant or no respects for their own loved ones, forget the public in general.

Anonymous, dubai, India

Added 13:49 October 12, 2011

Ok, some of these photos are not exactly violations. For example, the guy drinking water, thats not a violation, I don't see why that picture made the cut. Yes, there are times when I want to scream at a passing car because the person driving is on his/her mobile and zooming past. I think there should definitely be a law against using your mobile while driving. If you quickly check your phone at a traffic light, that's hardly considered a violation in my opinion. But I definitely agree, there are many road signs and rules that are being ignored, and something should be done about it.

Anonymous, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Added 13:38 October 12, 2011

If someone is waiting at a red light it's ok to read something, reply to an sms, or make a quick 30 sec phone call.

Anonymous, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Added 13:34 October 12, 2011

On first hand it all looks clearly as defying traffic rules However, it is not clear whether these incident occurred while on a traffic hold or in motion. If it is during normal traffic speed, then surely it is a crime.

Boos R P, London, United Kingdom

Added 13:21 October 12, 2011

RTA & Dubai police has to be more strict about dangerous drivers .If they’re not following the traffic rules the punishment to be increased.

MAHAROOF, DUBAI, United Arab Emirates

Added 13:20 October 12, 2011

people having their brakfast in the car is manor reson for the accidnts in the morng..its should be stopped..!!

Anonymous, dubai, India

Added 13:14 October 12, 2011

Both need to be punished the driver and the photo grapher if it is taken form a car by a driver. How could he turn back and take a picture while driving? Most likely it seems the car is at hault. Very funny, the guy seems as if taking care of whole UAE with phone glued to his ear and a IPAD!!! so he cannot waste single second sorting people issues. I just tought of a guy in Abudhabi cornish doing pull ups and his IPAD tucked to his waste and a ear phone, i see him almost eaveryday i go for a walk and i do not know what these people really watch on IPAD while driving or excersicing. Give certain time to yourself guys..........

Sharif Mohammad, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Added 12:59 October 12, 2011

Traffic violation is very common in UAE, some people think that they can do anything they want while driving the vehicle, they also take advantage of their heavy vehicle to put pressure, especially on those who use to drive very carefully. Fine & Penalties through Radar & Cemera is not enough. I would suggest 1- Deploy traffice police on the roads, especially during rush hours and bussy roads and they must need to do snap checking, especially who look younger to stop their car. 2- First time give them warning 2nd time impound their vehicle for a couple of days with hefty fine. and 3rd time suspend their licence for couple of months. Launch a training program for all the licence holders to teach them driving rules, traffic law and manners as well.

Ali, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Added 12:53 October 12, 2011

This is not new in UAE. authorties should be more vigilant and fine these people through their nose......

Narayanan, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Added 12:43 October 12, 2011

These cases are what one gets to see everyday on Dubai roads. They are all around and surprisingly none of these people get caught. You just need to take a drive on the Dubai Sharjah Etihad road and you will be able to spot at least 10 traffic rule violations every half and hour. i have been driving in Dubai for the last 6 years and feel that the quality of driving has steadily decreased even though the rules and laws seem to have become more stringent. People use to drive better and follow rules more about 3-4 years back. Maybe others will agree with me on this.

Anonymous, dubai, United Arab Emirates

Added 12:41 October 12, 2011

What is harm in using mobile or reading if one can do it without causing an accident? I think people are panicking too much. just because one person make accident not mean everyone will do accident by using mobile. Also more important than using mobile is issue of privacy, publishing pictures like this against peoples privacy

Mohsin Khan, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates

Added 12:38 October 12, 2011

and also those school bus that doesn't have stop light. its really dangerous becasue you never know when it will stop.!

Anonymous, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Added 12:35 October 12, 2011

I would like RTA to look into the drivers who create problems for others especially the ones who drive slow on fast tracks and also don't want to leave the track. RTA needs to check their internal system when issuing licenses to drivers. I totally agree action needs to be taken against all as uniform rather than on few. Sometimes we get angry and loose patience when some irresponsible drivers create problems for others. COMMON SENSE SHOULD PREVAIL!!

Anonymous, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates

Added 12:31 October 12, 2011

i do believe there are alot of reckless drivers on the road, but these pictures taken are mostly when car is permanently stopped at traffic light i.e. drinking water, reading, or using mobile etc and it doesn't harm as per my opinion. though child on front seat is really hazardious, people should avoid this practice.

Anonymous, Abu Dhabi, Pakistan

Added 12:24 October 12, 2011

The "Make it Safe" Campaign is going to make the roads a lot safer for all in the United Arab Emirates. The strict rules should apply to ALL and harsh punishment for those who endanger their own and others lives. Speed limits have been exceeded between radars, which in turn show no respect for the law. Mobile phones users without blue-tooth devices, or hands-free devices should be fined without warning. The Pictures posted online are common scenes around Dubai, Sharjah and Ajman. Lets make a difference people. Drive Carefully. Value your life....as your loved ones are waiting for you at Home.

Kim Aswani, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Added 12:05 October 12, 2011

If you want to see road rules flaunted every day, come to Jebel Ali Gardens and "Try" to drive on the road to Winchester school & DPS School (I hope I got the names right - hope my memory didn't fail me with names of the school that I have read in passing :) )- Parents park not just on the road, but also in the round about area. As you approach the roundabout, you will find a wall of cars blocking entry - exit and anything possible. On top of that, they happily open car doors in the direction of traffic flowing in the remaining one lane. Worst is when you are trying to make your way, suddenly some little kid trying to cross the road will surface from between these parked cars. You have to hold your breath and hit your breaks. The security guards do their best to ensure safety of these kids crossing the roads, but there are always naughty kids. Regardless it is dangerous. It scares me to drive in the area when schools are done for the day. Try your luck there, you can take wonderful pictures of road rules violations.

latif shaikh, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Added 12:03 October 12, 2011

since by default human beings are not made to have multiple attention simultaneously, so we all must avoid multitasking. there are many people who think themselves a very good multi tasker but they dont realize that it is impossible to pay attention in different activity. All they do is switching their mind from one task to the other which is subjected to rapid errors in all the task they get engage. so in the case of serious activities like driving a motor vehicle in roads and highways we should always refrain from engaging any attention worthy activity for the safeness of ours and others in the road while driving.

Manik Patwary, Ras Al Khaimah, Bangladesh

Added 12:00 October 12, 2011

I am driving since last 4 years, have come across many conditions when drivers violate driving laws or leave the basic driving sense behind, and that kind of behavior is frustrating while you are driving with responsibility. Offences like Tailgating, Lane changing without indication, when the whole traffic is at a stand still many drivers use the hard shoulder to get away with the traffic and are never caught. Specially in Abu Dhabi the average Driving sense of any driver is much below par, and to top it up,specially big cars are adamant to even consider the basic laws or rules, this cannot be stopped in one day , as the node of the problem is lies somewhere else, the POLICE should campaign and make sure the drivers are made responsible in both traffic and civic sense. Fines are mere tools to lessen this nuisance and not solutions. This Society is growing and each and everyone should contribute towards the development of it.

Ayan , abu dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Added 11:50 October 12, 2011

sometimes it's not possible for everyone to avoid attending all of their mobile calls whle driving.Why don't RTA urge motorists to use bluetooth on their vehicles atleast instead of heavy fines and punishments.

Priya, Dubai, India

Added 11:47 October 12, 2011

Show me a study which proves that holding a mobile phone against your ear is more distracting than talking on a hands free system. It isn't!!! Chatting to the passenger next to you can be more distracting than talking on the phone. There is nothing distracting from the physical act of holding a phone against your ear. Nothing. The only disadvantage with it is that you won't have both hands on the steering wheel, so your ability to make a quick manoeuvre to avoid an accident won’t be as good as if you had both hands on the steering. The only reason talking on the mobile phone is more distracting is because motorists spend more mental time looking out for the police than paying attention to the road. How often have you seen people trying to untangle the earpiece while driving because they don’t want to break the law by holding the phone against their ear? Well guess what, trying to untangle the earpiece is even worse than holding the phone against your ear. Now texting or reading while driving is a BIG no no. It is extremely dangerous to text or read while the vehicle is moving.

Ziad, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Added 11:33 October 12, 2011

I use Dubai roads on a daily basis and have noticed significant increase in reckless driving behaviours among motorists. Such drivers are a threat to safe drivers. Authorities should take appropriate action against such drivers.

Anonymous, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Added 11:30 October 12, 2011

Keep it up Gulfnews! Let's put to shame all traffic offenders and learn their lessons. Reckless drivers won't change unless penalized. I drive for more than 3 years and this is a common sight on the UAE roads.

Amber, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Added 11:21 October 12, 2011

Beacause of such irresponsible driving such as talking on mobiles, not using indicator, texting etc, innocent people are being involved in fatal accidents and some culprits escape.

Achuthan Kutty, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Added 11:21 October 12, 2011

Am also a rash driver and i have to keep good control when am driving and my advise is that while your driving just look sourounding also wht happening their don't just look on your track.

aneez, dubai, India

Added 11:11 October 12, 2011

I was amazed the other evening to see the number of cars using the hard sholder to bypass a queue on Emirates Road. Especially a black Lexus with no lights on! Lock them up!.

Anonymous, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Added 11:05 October 12, 2011

I always use the pedestrian lanes and footbridges after I got caught for jaywalking. But drivers (almost all of them) doesnt even reduce their speed or stop when they reach this lane. I feel pity for myself and for other pedestrians as we are never given importance at all. Authorities should also look into this aspect as well. Pedestrians lives are also at risk.

Anonymous, dubai, United Arab Emirates

Added 11:04 October 12, 2011

People drive without wearing sitbelt, which is dangerous. Heavy fines should be imposed.

Anonymous, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Added 11:00 October 12, 2011

I totally condemn any activity that diverts your attention while driving. This not only endangers your life but also of those around you. However some of the pics (drinking water, reading paper) seem to be when the car is stationary on signal. In such case it is quite natural to take a sip or two while waiting on signal or stuck in traffic.

Anonymous, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Added 10:38 October 12, 2011

This is worst than using mobile phone while driving.

Francis, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Added 10:38 October 12, 2011

Everyone gets to see these scenes everday on the streets, talking on the mobile, texting, taking turns without indicators, child in the front seat, no seatbelts, rash driving.

Anonymous, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Added 10:33 October 12, 2011

Some of the pictures are not worth being displayed here. Evidently most of the activities being done in the photographs are done during Rush hour when the Cars are either stopped or pacing at a snail pace. For that matter you can say listening to the Radio while driving is also a Distraction ( considering the cheesy commentary of some stations ).

Ahmad, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Added 10:26 October 12, 2011

I do not think there is any harm while talking on mobile or having a sip of water while you car is in stable position and there is no risk,

Imran, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Added 10:18 October 12, 2011

This is a common sight on every major road in UAE.

Anu, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Added 09:55 October 12, 2011

People are used to these kinds of stuff whether they have to meet both ends; doing business in rush hours, chit-chatting with friends, etc. They will just learn to realize the value of life when accidents happen. As a reminder, since there are cameras, RTA should impose traffic rules and contact those responsible people immediately.

erma, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Added 09:34 October 12, 2011

Unbelievable! I think the best bet the authorities have is to employ citizen police i.e make members of the community an official to take pics like these and report such wrong driving habits. Road mannerism need to change drastically

Anonymous, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Added 09:28 October 12, 2011

I read with interest the plans to fine motorists who use mobiles whilst driving and zero tolerance yet yesterday in my short, only 15minute, journey to work I saw 4 people violating this law. one was actually doing a u-turn at a traffic signal whilst having a phone glued to his ear.

Anonymous, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Added 09:25 October 12, 2011

Only 1 solution. Should be heavy, heavy penalty on these kind of matters, until the authorities put heavy penalty, driver will not care. Penalty should be in thousands (+ punishment) not in hundreds…… then it is stop fully.

Riasat, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Added 09:07 October 12, 2011

I really do not understand what kind of emergency this guy is in that forces him to read while driving. He is not only to be punished, but his license must be cancelled, if possible, give him more punishment. He is not only taking risk on his life and family but other innocent drivers on the Road. 100% not acceptable.

Ranjith, Dubai, United Arab Emirates