Abu Dhabi puts the brakes on speeding motorists

Abu Dhabi: Putting the brakes on speeding motorists is top priority for the police, a senior traffic official has said.

Across the UAE, over 47,270 vehicles were impounded for a month for excessive speeding in 2009 while 25,862 vehicles were impounded in 2008, according to statistics from the interior ministry.

"Curbing excessive speeding is top priority for the traffic police. An increasing number of fines are being meted out especially for exceeding the maximum speed limit by more than 60 km/h", Brigadier Gaith Hassan Al Za'abi, Director of the Traffic Department at the Ministry of Interior told Gulf News.

Since the maximum speed limit on highways in the country is typically 140 km/h, inclusive of a 20 km/h grace speed, the offenders in this category include those who were driving above 200 km/h along highways.

Reckless driving

Thirty three traffic violations, out of the 147 types of violations listed in the Federal Traffic law, could lead to confiscation of vehicles. And excessive speeding is certainly one of them, he said.

Those speeding recklessly risk confiscation of their vehicles for 30 days, he warned. In case there are other serious violations recorded the duration of confiscation increases based on the nature of the offence.

"When it comes to excessive speeding the offenders are mostly youngsters. Although many nationalities are involved in these types of violations, the involvement of young UAE nationals is among the highest."

In 2008, as many as 25,862 motorists in the country were fined, apart from impounding their vehicle for a month, for exceeding the speed limit by more than 60 km/h. The highest number of offences was recorded in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi with 11,280 fines issued. Dubai came second highest with 7,881 fines.

The violations recorded climbed to 47,270 in 2009. About 50 per cent of these offences were recorded in Abu Dhabi with 23,974 fines issued. Dubai recorded 30 per cent with 14,625 fines issued.

"Reckless driving at high speeds is often recorded outside the city, along highways such as Abu Dhabi-Al Ghuwaifat, Abu Dhabi-Al Ain and Abu Dhabi-Dubai", Brigadier Al Za'abi added.

33 traffic violations that could get a vehicle confiscated

1. Driving dangerously (racing)

2. Driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs or similar substances

3. Driving a vehicle without number plate

4. Causing death

5. Not stopping after causing an accident that resulted in injuries-decided by court

6. Reckless driving

7. Exceeding speed limit by more than 60km/h

8. Driving causing danger to others

9. Jumping red light

10. Running away from a traffic policeman

11. Dangerous overtaking by trucks

12. Exceeding  permitted level of car window tinting

13. Driving an unsafe heavy vehicle

14. Failure to stop after causing an accident

15. Driving a noisy vehicle

16. Loading a heavy vehicle in a way that may pose danger to others or to the road

17. Overload or protruding load from a heavy vehicle without permission

18. Operating industrial, construction and mechanical vehicles and tractors without permission

19. Vehicle unfit for driving

20. Driving an unsafe light vehicle

21. Not lifting exhaust of trucks

22. Not covering loads of trucks

23. Using vehicle for purposes other than designated

24. Heavy vehicle prohibited entry

25. Violating loading or unloading regulations in parking

26. Carrying and transporting passengers illegally

27. Loading a light vehicle in a way that may pose danger to others or tot the road

28. Overload or protruding load on light vehicles without permission

29. Falling or leaking load

30. Driving with tyres in poor condition

31. Driving unlicensed vehicle

32.Failure to have vehicle examined after carrying out major modification to engine of body

33. Abuse of parking space

Will you be watching your speed more with the increase in fines? What more can be done to curb reckless driving?