Abu Dhabi records 100,000 serious traffic violations in first three months of 2016

Abu Dhabi: A total of 100,000 serious traffic violations have been recorded in the first quarter of 2016, the Abu Dhabi Police Traffic and Patrols Directorate announced in a statement sent on Saturday.

Speeding was the most dangerous of these traffic offences, noted in 14 per cent of violations, with many drivers travelling faster than 60km/h on residential streets.

Another 10 per cent of violators were found using a non-hands-free device while driving, 18 per cent were driving without using seat belts and 8 per cent of violators had worn out, unsafe tyres.

Brigadier Mohammad Khalifa Al Khaili, deputy director at the Traffic and Patrols Directorate, said 78 cases of motorists racing with one another on the roads had also been caught. In addition, there were 3,616 instances of drivers trying to overtake others using the hard shoulder, and 1,495 cases of sudden and swerving.

The official added that the police are continuously working to limit such dangerous habits among motorists, which are often the cause of accidents that lead to serious injuries and even fatalities. While traffic patrols have intensified their monitoring efforts, air traffic control units are also deployed.

In addition, recent efforts have also focused on creating awareness among young drivers, who are most likely to drive recklessly. Through visits to universities and posts on social media, the traffic police are working to warn them about the hazards of speeding, jumping red lights, sudden swerving and inattention on the road.