Traffic offences down in Al Ain as tough legislation takes effect

Al Ain: Traffic offences and accidents have dropped in the city - with police saying drivers are being more cautious following the implementation of new unified traffic laws.

The police have not recorded a fatal accident in the city and its surrounding areas since Saturday when the law came into effect.

There have been some minor accidents but no major accidents, said a traffic police official on Friday.

Disturbing

Khamis Al Ka'abi, head of public relations at Al Ain Traffic Police, said the philosophy behind the stricter unified traffic laws was to cut traffic deaths as road accidents are one of the top causes of death in the UAE.

"It was very disturbing to see people losing their lives and limbs on the streets," he said, adding the law would make UAE roads safer.

Many of these accidents are caused by human error, he added.

Al Ka' abi said people need to be aware of these laws and should follow them to avoid penalties.

He said the traffic police would organise a Traffic Safety Week in Al Ain on Sunday and educate people on laws and road safety regulations.

The opening ceremony of the week will be held at Al Ain Mall at 10am and senior police officials, UAE dignitaries and the general public will attend, he added.

Commenting on the new laws, Mohammad Abdul Wakeel, an expatriate driver, said the laws were very strict and many drivers did not fully understand them.

"All drivers, I think, are afraid of the laws and are driving carefully," he said.

The traffic police, said Abdul Wakeel, must educate motorists as they are very tough laws.