Drivers need to put full attention on road

In spite of repeated warnings in the media and police taking action on errant motorists, the cancer of traffic violations still remains.

It is no surprise that I captured three traffic violations on the same street in Sharjah. One driver was busy speaking on his mobile, while another driver cut lanes and sped away on the yellow shoulder. The most surprising incident was a driver reading a newspaper with the entire broadsheet spread across his steering wheel. He even managed to flip the page as he was driving.

On another day, I caught a motorist smoking a cigarette as he was driving and littering the road with the hot ash, totally unconcerned about any approaching vehicles.

We need to be conscious of our responsible role as a driver. It involves our own safety and the safety of other road users. Everybody hopes and aspires to reach their destination quickly. But the careless attitude of some drivers does not mean well for others.

I urge the concerned authorities to further strengthen the implementation of the traffic rules. Regular police beats on unmarked police cars and plain clothed police patrols should be increased. Only the fear of hefty fines and confiscation of the vehicles will deter these kinds of drivers to fall in line.

This reader is a travel supervisor in Sharjah

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