Police warn reckless drivers their days are numbered

DAYS NUMBERED: Dubai police and the RTA have launched a campaign to increase awareness about the new black points system. (Getty Images)

Dubai motorists have been warned they face vehicle seizures and licence confiscation for reckless driving, as police plan a major initiative to bring order to the emirate’s roads.

Police and Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) on Wednesday launched a major safety campaign to increase awareness about the new black points system for traffic violations which began on March 1.

Police are seeking a major reduction in the number of road deaths. Last year 332 people died on the emirate’s roads, officials said.

Although the black points system is three months old, the authorities are only now launching a campaign to inform the public about the new rules.

Speaking on the sidelines of a press conference, Mohammed Alzafeen, director of traffic at Dubai police, told Arabian Business mere fines were not stopping dangerous drivers and firmer punishments were necessary, such as impounding offenders' vehicles.

“Radars and fines are not enough to stop dangerous over-speeders. People here are car dependent - no one wants to take taxis or ride a bus, so this new system will be much more effective. Motorists do not want their vehicles or licences confiscated,” he said.

Under the new system drivers who accumulate 24 points in a year on a range of traffic offences face the suspension of their driver’s licence for up to six months.

Various offences result in a range of punishments including heavy fines, vehicle seizure and jail.

Alzafeen said he expected to see a major reduction in fatalities and accidents within two years as a result of the new penalty system.

The total deaths figure of 332 represented about 20 fatalities per 1,000 residents, he said.

He was aiming for the demerits system to bring this percentage down to 18 per 1,000 in 2009, and about 14 by 2010.

He warned police would be strengthening their presence on the roads, with more police patrol vehicles targeting drivers and more video radars.

“Over-speeders on the highways are our biggest problems. About 25 percent of all motorists are dangerous drivers and these are the ones causing accidents, injuring the safe drivers and causing fatalities. We must reduce this,” he said.

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USER COMMENTS (6 COMMENTS)

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State of Public Transport
Posted by Richard, Dubai, UAE on 6 July 2008 at 16:48 UAE time

I want to use buses, but Dubai needs to improve the standards. Last week, my car was in servicing so I decided to use the bus.
I called up to confirm the timing etc for Route 14, which I was told is every 30 minutes and one leaves Gold Souq at 7:40. I waited at naif intersection & bus arrived at 8:50.
Also the buses are smelly.

Irresponsible statement
Posted by Arshad, Dubai on 6 July 2008 at 12:15 UAE time

If "People here are car dependent" and "no one wants to take taxis or ride a bus", then why are they making the multi-billion dollar metro?!

A little perspective
Posted by Trevor on 6 July 2008 at 09:17 UAE time

Just thought I'd give this whole situation a little perspective. If my memory serves me correctly you can kill 2 people before you lose your licence (12 points each). However, never, ever, ever stick your finger up at anybody whilst driving that'll really get the system working!!

Regards, Trevor

Reckless drivers
Posted by m.e.c. on 5 July 2008 at 18:17 UAE time


I'm laughing at this new push on reckless drivers. These people are already breaking the law. How does taking their license away help? If they don't have any qualms about breaking the law and endangering others, you seriously think they care about driving without a license? What a useless gesture. And, until taxi drivers are included in this group and subject to laws and fines like everyone else, this is still useless. And, until the law is 100% across the board, regardless of nationality, still useless. We all know that certain nationalities - who are causing most of the trouble - will never be fined, never be stopped, never have to follow the same laws as others. We also know that taxi drivers are exempt from the law, regardless of what any article or advertisment may say. They simply are. They are ignored by the police unless in case of accident. And they know it. If you start fining all equally and with large fines, and enforcing their payments, only then will you have an effective action.

Put 2 and 2 together
Posted by mike, London on 3 July 2008 at 20:15 UAE time

The RTA needs to rein in the local drivers before anything effective will take place. RTA should also introduce a 'Reckless driving' category to the list of offenses that would enable the police to issue tickets for a number of unclassified offenses. Also it would be good to train the police to actually care about the traffic situation and not wait until there is a fatal accident before they get involved. I have passed the police in the 60 KM zone outside of my house many times doing 80+, while there was another car flashing his lights to pass me. All this while the police are having a nice chat on their cell phones or sharing a joke. Anyone who's been to the UAE knows that this is no exaggeration. They should impound cars on the spot for breaking the law. And by that I don't mean just the expat cars - the UAE nationals are by far the worst and most reckless drivers on the road.

Police knowledge...
Posted by Bruno Veninga, Dubai, UAE on 3 July 2008 at 14:59 UAE time

It might also help for the RTA and the "Police" would actually get some training for the officers patrolling the roads. They do all the things they are supposed to pull people over for. They talk on their phones while driving; they speed (when not using their sirens and lights); they turn left from the right hand lane; they don't indicate; they use their hazards when they shouldn't be; the drive with the police lights on when they are not doing anything particularly case related; and the list goes on. Perhaps awareness should start there, and then these officers can set a good example for the rest of Dubai. Half of them seem barely old enough to know what a bit of road etiquette even entails.
and what is it with the Hazard lights being used when stopping at a red light? This in any other country is illegal! We can see the light is red... we can see your brake lights (and if not, why are they broken?)... so we know you are stopping!
A colleague of mine recently failed her driver's licence exam because according to her examiner she didn't put the hazards on quick enough when she had to stop for someone?!?!? Do the driving instructors here even know the road rules? Start in house guys... then start penalizing others, only once you know why.

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