Sharjah sees a 9% decline in traffic offences by taxis

Sharjah: Traffic offences committed by Sharjah taxi drivers have decreased by nine per cent during the first half of 2010, Director of the Quality Control department said.

During the same period in 2009, Sharjah Transport recorded a total of 11,536 fines in comparison to the 10,548 fines committed this year.

Mohammad Karam, Director of the Quality Control department in Sharjah Transport, said that most violations resulted from entering prohibited areas, with a total of 1,535 fines and accounted for 14.55 per cent of total fines.

The second common violation was talking on the phone and not using a headset while driving, which accounted for 1,306 fines and 12.38 per cent of total fines. "By working with these compiled statistics, we have intensified street patrols to determine where the entry to prohibited area violation occurs the most," said Karam.

"By working and coordinating with the Sweden Safety Institute, our drivers undergo training sessions on safe driving, the importance of adhering to traffic laws and improving customer service," he added.

Saeed Abdullah, Director of Corporate Communication, said that one reason for the decline in number of fines is due to the principle of reward, which awards distinguished drivers.