More video cameras will track down reckless Dubai drivers

Dubai: Reckless and selfish drivers need to watch out because their movements will be tracked with the help of 20 new mobile video cameras, to catch people breaking traffic rules.

Dubai Media Incorporated (DMI) and Dubai Police have launched a joint campaign to increase safety awareness on the road.

The campaign, "Think", starts today. It is aimed at creating awareness of the the dangers of speeding and the importance of abiding by safety guidelines.

The campaign also aims to contribute to Dubai's aspiration to rank among the world's top ten safest driving destinations.

Ahmad Abdullah Al Shaikh, DMI managing director, said: "Our responsibility as a media entity is to use the power of television through our various channels to highlight the dangers that affect us all, and to encourage every member of the community to take action."

He said DMI will focus on spreading awareness of various traffic offences, especially talking on phones while driving. People who talk on their cell phones while driving have been found to concentrate on the talking.

Major General Khamis Mattar Al Mazeina, Acting Chief of Dubai Police, announced another 20 mobile video cameras in undercover patrol cars will catch offenders and issue fines straight away.

The patrols will especially be on the look-out for people committing dangerous offences such as speeding.

He said the mobile video camera system was launched at the beginning of June and in the first hour of operation 12 cases of excessive speeding on Emirates Road were recorded. Some people drove at speeds of up to 190km/h.

"Action was taken against the offenders and their vehicles. In case of repeated offences, the driving licence of the offender will be revoked, the vehicle will be confiscated and the offender will have to undergo rehabilitation courses," Maj Gen Al Mazeina said.

He said statistics show that carelessness and lack of consideration towards other road users is the number one cause of accidents in Dubai. It led to 557 accidents, number of deaths and injured 609 in 2007 up to November.

The total number of accidents in the same period was 3,010 with 4,512 injuries.

Do you slow down when you see a radar camera? How does it affect your driving? Do you think more video cameras will reduce the number of traffic violations on the road? What other steps can be taken? Tell us at letter2editor@gulfnews.com or fill in the form below to send your comments.

Yes, radar camera certainly has great effect especially to speedster. I automatically check my speed and press the brake every time I see the box with or without the camera.
Alan
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 07, 2008, 11:36

I do not slow down when I see a radar (because I know where they are, generally).So I drive within a speed limit if I drive slowly, I move to the second lane as I do not need to be flashed! It's annoying.Video cameras will not reduce the number of traffic violations on the road, BUT the police will have more evidence when they need to arrest the reckless motorists who are in denial that they are driving in good manners and done nothing wrong (nobody admits they're bad driver, don't they?)
Amy
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 07, 2008, 09:52

More cameras will not help. Most of the drivers know where the camera is installed. But mobile cameras will make a difference. It is good move by Dubai Police. I hope I can drive safely in Dubai now.
Ansar
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 07, 2008, 09:46

This is a good move by Dubai police to crackdown reckless driving, as speeders slow down when they see installed cameras or police cars but in undercover car they will be caught.
Muzzamil
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 07, 2008, 09:01

In my opinion just fines will not help curb traffic offences, it means who ever is rich will do as many offences as he wants. The reckless drivers shall be prosecuted to set an example for others.
MSK
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 07, 2008, 08:47

Traffic analysis and nature of roads should be the basis of fixing speed limits. Many drivers find it beyond common sense driving under 100kmph on very wide 3 and 4 lane roads set with sign boards of 80 or 100kmph. Speed Radars installed in short spans of under 2.5kms (as in Sheikh Zayed Road) and heavy fines(as RTA has set now), would definitely help curb speeding to a good extent.
Rohit
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 07, 2008, 08:44

I think the presence of police cars/patrols rather than cameras will lead to safer roads. The more police presence on the major roads DURING rush hours will lead to more people being wary of committing offences - of course-they should actively be stopping people/taking down their plate numbers as a warning to others as well.
Farhan
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 07, 2008, 08:24

I appreciate UAE Govt. Especially Dubai Govt.'s policy on reckless driving. I am a defensive and law abiding driver. But in my experience whenever you are following the speed limit and keeping safe distance as per rule, you will be in trouble by reckless and aggressive drivers. They will start to cross you without giving any signal. What I am saying, law should be more and more strict and more heavy penalties both financial and other means should be implemented.
Sayad
ABU DHABI,UAE
Posted: July 07, 2008, 08:15

i really appeciate this move, I would like to bring forward few dangerous moves and action drivers do, this is more prone on fast lane where people drive as per the speed limit set,but lot of drivers come over speed in this track and try to chase the vehicle out of track forcibly ,not giving ample time time to check whether the bext lane is clear to change lane ,forcible v need to change the lane in a risky way,this has happened with me
sayed
Dubai,uae
Posted: July 07, 2008, 06:47