Speedboards to warn motorists

Are you driving faster than a flying bullet? Well if you aren't sure, then Dubai Traffic Police's new speedometer will ensure that you do slow down to see. They have come up with the unique idea to make motorists aware of their speed and increase awareness.

A police patrol car with a large electronic sensor speedometer screen fixed atop is stationed in residential areas. The speed of a vehicle is detected and flashed immediately on the electronic screen of the speedometer. The speedometer can track a car which is 50 to 100 metres away.

Engineer Mohammed Saif Al Zafein, Deputy Director of the Dubai Police General Traffic Department, said: "This is a new concept initiated by the Dubai Traffic Police and is one of its kind in the Arab world. Our intention is not to catch offenders but to make them aware of their act. The idea was implemented by us three months ago. We would like to remind motorists that it is not a radar, but an alert system.

"The patrol car is positioned at a particular angle. For example, if it is stationed in the side of a two-lane road, it becomes difficult to show the speed of all vehicles in both the lanes. It only flashes the speed of the vehicle in front. We are getting quite a good response from the public.

"The concept was introduced to the Arabic speaking public via Arabic local dailies, but unfortunately the same was not done for the majority of the non-Arabic speaking people."

According to Engineer Zafein, areas where the car will be stationed are picked at random.

"From our statistics, we pick streets that have a high accident and fatality rate. Generally, we opt for residential areas like Jumeirah and Rashidiya Road. Sometimes we place the electronic speedometer ahead of a radar. If a motorist fails to check his speed despite being alerted by the large electronic speedometer he will be caught on the radar for speeding. Dubai Traffic Police urge all motorists to cooperate with us in curbing the accident and fatality rate."

Expressing their appreciation for the new concept, a few motorists were of the opinion that it will help them keep a regular check on their speedometer which is usually ignored.

Santosh Desai said: "Though I have not come across it, the idea sounds good. There are so many motorists who do not check their speed. They just speed to glory only to pay huge fines during car registration. The public should know that all this is done by the traffic police for the benefit of motorists and pedestrians."

Tina Abraham said: "It is good to have the system in residential areas but something has to be done to check mad drivers on Sheikh Zayed Road and Emirates Road. Young drivers go crazy at night. They show no road discipline."

Christine D'costa said: "It is really encouraging to see the efforts made by Dubai Traffic Police. I really hope police get all the cooperation from the public for all their awareness campaigns."