New drivers should be randomly tested, says senior police official

Dubai: New drivers should randomly be tested for driving skills and basic traffic safety rules, said Dr Jamal Mohammad Al Merri, Acting Commander-in-Chief of Dubai Police.

Addressing a meeting yesterday, Al Merri stressed the importance of random testing for drivers, especially those who obtained new licences.

A high-level meeting was held to discuss plans to implement the directives of Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Executive Council, to take strict measures to catch and punish reckless drivers in Dubai.

Shaikh Hamdan recently ordered the imposition of heavy fines for those who violate traffic rules, in an effort to encourage safe driving on Dubai roads.

Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), chaired the meeting while it was attended by Brigadier Saif Al Zafein, Director of the General Directorate of Traffic in Dubai Police, and Maitha Obaid Bin Udai, CEO of the Traffic and Roads Agency at the RTA.