Abu Dhabi: Three people were killed and 44 others injured in a collision between a bus and two vehicles on Al Shawamikh Bridge in Abu Dhabi early Monday. The vehicles were heading towards Abu Dhabi.
Brigadier Salem Abdullah Bin Barak Al Daheri, director of the traffic department at Abu Dhabi Police, said preliminary investigations suggest that the crash occurred because a motorist was using a mobile phone while driving, a sudden lane change and speeding.
The police received a call about the accident at 7.30am and rescue and ambulance teams, including a field clinic of the police, were rushed to the scene.
The injured were transferred to Al Rahba and Al Mafraq hospitals in Abu Dhabi.
According to Abu Dhabi Police, speeding accounted for 84 per cent of traffic violations in the emirate in the first quarter of this year. Last year, it accounted for 79.8 per cent of traffic violations, resulting in 4.5 million speeding tickets.
In 2017, 30,402 motorists were fined for using their mobile phones while driving. Three deaths were caused due to motorists using the phone in Abu Dhabi last year.
According to statistics, using phone while driving resulted in 48 traffic accidents in the emirate last year.
Using a mobile phone while driving involves a fine of Dh800 and four black points, sudden lane change entails a fine of Dh1,000 and four black points while entering a road in a dangerous way will result in a Dh600 fine and six black points.
In case of an accident, Brig Al Daheri said people should move to a safe area away from the road that does not endanger the lives of other road users.
Avoid using mobile phone while driving
Motorists should stop their vehicles at a safe place if they need to talk on mobile phones and use their social media accounts.
If it is important to receive a call while driving use ear/head phones (hands free).
Do not use hand-held mobile phones while driving.
Avoid reading emails, texting messages and checking social media updates while driving.
Do not watch videos while driving
Never shoot videos or take pictures behind the wheel.
Fines
Using mobile while driving — Dh800 and 4 black points
Sudden lane change — Dh1,000 and 4 black points.
Entering a road in a dangerous way — Dh600 and 6 black points.
