Phone use while driving: Dubai Police release video of near-miss at pedestrian crossing

Dubai: The UAE has stepped up efforts to curb distracted driving, warning motorists against using their phones while behind the wheel and highlighting the serious risks it poses to both drivers and others on the road.

This message is being reinforced through the nationwide “Driving Without a Phone” campaign and the release of shocking accident footage highlighting the consequences.

As part of the campaign, Dubai Police released disturbing video footage highlighting the dangers of distracted driving.

In one clip, a driver using their phone fails to stop at a pedestrian crossing, narrowly avoiding a serious accident. Another video shows a truck driver crashing into a car stopped at a traffic signal, reportedly while distracted by a device.

To deter mobile phone use while driving, the UAE enforces strict penalties:

Authorities stress that no message, call, or notification is worth risking lives.

648,000+ violations in 2024 alone

Despite repeated awareness initiatives, a significant number of drivers in the UAE continue to engage with their mobile phones behind the wheel—whether to text, take calls, or browse social media—endangering not only themselves but also passengers, pedestrians, and other road users.

Using a mobile phone while driving puts your life and the lives of others at serious risk.

The scale of the issue is alarming: 648,631 violations were recorded across the country in 2024. Offenders are identified through both on-ground patrols and smart surveillance systems installed nationwide.

Officials have issued a clear warning: any phone use while driving—texting, calling, browsing, taking photos, or recording videos—greatly increases the risk of accidents.

This campaign is part of a broader push to promote safer driving habits and reduce the number of traffic-related injuries and fatalities across the UAE.