Police issue 14,349 traffic tickets under new laws

CRACK DOWN: Abu Dhabi police have issued 14,349 tickets since new traffic laws were introduced on March 1 in a bid to reduce car accidents. (Getty Images)

Abu Dhabi police have issued thousands of tickets since the March 1 introduction of a ‘black points’ traffic violation system, an official said on Thursday.

A points system to prevent UAE motorists from violating traffic rules was launched two months ago, in a bid to reduce the high number of fatalities on the country’s roads.

Under the new rules motorists receive points for a wide range of traffic offences, including driving dangerously or racing (12 points, 2,000-dirham fine), driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs (24 points, fine decided by court), and using a hand-held mobile phone while driving (4 points, 200-dirham fine).

Black points remain on record until one year after the fine was issued. Once a motorist incurs 24 points, their driver’s licence will be suspended for three months.

Lieutenant Colonel Mohammed Dhahi, Abu Dhabi’s Chief of Traffic, said nine licences have already been withdrawn after the motorist reached the 24 point maximum limit.

A total of 14,349 tickets have been issued in the Abu Dhabi emirate for various traffic violations, Dhahi said in a statement carried by state news agency Wam.

Police had also withdrawn 111 driver’s licences for driving while under the influence of alcohol, and 41 truck drivers have so far had their licences seized for dangerous overtaking.

Figures for Dubai are yet to be released.

Dhahi said in the statement motorists with black points on their record that join a driving institute will be eligible for the deduction of eight points from their total.

Police in the UAE are cracking down on dangerous driving in an attempt to improve safety on the emirates' roads.

Over 1,050 people were killed in UAE road accidents last year, compared to 868 deaths in 2006.

Recent figures released by the Ministry of Interior show that there were 6,813 accidents on UAE roads during 2007, resulting in 10,526 injuries.

According to government statistics, one person is injured on UAE's roads every two hours, with one fatality every fifteen hours.

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USER COMMENTS (3 COMMENTS)

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Traffic Fines
Posted by Mike on Saturday 26 April 2008 at 19:52 UAE time

If at all Abu Dhabi Traffic police need to collect fines, they should start with the parking woes in the city. Case in point in Dart ul Mia, Khalidiya. There are hordes of shisha outlets and come 6pm one will find all the parking are occupied till late night by these shisha smokers.

Moreover many of these folks double park with no indicator and no care for other motorists nor residents of this area.

I've seen the police patrol vehicles driving past but never have I witnessed these drivers being fined. It's a pity, the city traffic cops have completed an important celebration and here we have the city folks taking law in their hands and dictating terms.

Time Abu Dhabi traffic policemen get into the act and rid these elements once and for all.

Police issue 14,349 traffic tickets under new laws
Posted by Firozali A. Mulla MBA PhD, DUBAI, UAE on Saturday 26 April 2008 at 11:01 UAE time

Amy. Is that bad? I do not know that we had so many bad drivers around. Very near 15,000. What exactly do they think they got the driving license for? Politeness has always paid however, that is what the taxi and the truck drivers have forgotten.

Unfair Laws!
Posted by Ali on Friday 25 April 2008 at 19:02 UAE time

The new rules are ridicules and not effective. Police are biased, most of the traffic fines are issued on minor offenses, while people with reckless driving get way.

I have been driving for almost 6 years, and never have broken any laws. I never had any traffic ticket until this month. I was given a seat belt fine which was to be paid at the traffic safety department. Whereas reckless drivers get a radar flash and can pay their fine anytime anywhere! Did I deserve the fine.. yes I did, but why do cars with tinted windows get away with it. This is just unfair.

Traffic accidents will not go down unless the real traffic offenders and the cause of all the insane traffic fatalities are stopped.

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