Bahrain
Kuwait
Oman
Qatar
Saudi Arabia
UAE
Print
Email
Discuss this article (19 Comments)70% of Dubai 999 calls are not emergencies
by This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it on Tuesday, 13 October 2009
IN DEMAND: 70 percent of calls to the emergency police number are not urgent, police chief say.
Police in Dubai are set to launch an awareness campaign after official figures showed nearly 70 percent of 999 calls did not relate to any kind of emergency.
In comments published by Khaleej Times on Tuesday, Major-General Jasim Bal Rumaitha, director of the Operations Room, Dubai Police, said out of 130-150 calls each day, 70 percent were not urgent.
The awareness campaign, he said, was aimed at reducing non-emergency calls, which included people calling for advice about roads, headache pills and how to use a mobile phone card.
He added that visitors to the UAE sometimes called the emergency numbers of their countries and their calls are transferred automatically to the Dubai Police Operations Room.
“We receive calls from people enquiring about such things as the weather, the location of some government departments, speed limit on certain roads, their traffic fines, the Department of Naturalization Residency details, as well as for lodging complaints about taxi drivers,” Maj-Gen. Jasim Bal Rumaitha said.
“We also get lots of prank calls or calls made by mistake.”
READERS' COMMENTS
Disclaimer: The views expressed here by our readers are not necessarily shared by ArabianBusiness.com or its employees.
Mahmoud's comments
Posted by Dave, Dubai on Friday 16 October 2009 at 10:44 UAE time
While his comments were extreme, isnt it true that many drivers here (including the driver mentioned who didnt move for the ambulance) have a chip on their shoulder? Why is it that the worst cases of tailgating, jumping signals, or driving without licences dont always concern expat drivers? We regularly hear of local boys dying in accidents after driving without license, when was the last time we heard of expats driving without licences? Similarly, cars with 80% tint rarely belong to expats. Its one thing to be polite in public, its another thing to be impolite behind wheels. And its just political correctness that makes people pretend that all natioanlities drive equally safely
Posted by Dave, Dubai on Friday 16 October 2009 at 10:44 UAE time
While his comments were extreme, isnt it true that many drivers here (including the driver mentioned who didnt move for the ambulance) have a chip on their shoulder? Why is it that the worst cases of tailgating, jumping signals, or driving without licences dont always concern expat drivers? We regularly hear of local boys dying in accidents after driving without license, when was the last time we heard of expats driving without licences? Similarly, cars with 80% tint rarely belong to expats. Its one thing to be polite in public, its another thing to be impolite behind wheels. And its just political correctness that makes people pretend that all natioanlities drive equally safely
Mahmoud, I hope you are an insignificant minority amongst Emiratis
Posted by MD, Dubai on Friday 16 October 2009 at 09:20 UAE time
I have encountered many Emiratis in the UAE and based on my interactions, I can safely conclude that not one of them would have made the blatantly racist remark that you have made. Would you have been less offended if the ambulance driver was not an Indian? Do you not value human life? Why do you think you are superior to expats, especially Indians? What if that Indian driver was driving one of your own relatives to the hospital? Would you have been able to face your family then after they got to know about your ridiculous behaviour? Allah has created all human beings, so it is not your right to decide that you are superior to others.
Posted by MD, Dubai on Friday 16 October 2009 at 09:20 UAE time
I have encountered many Emiratis in the UAE and based on my interactions, I can safely conclude that not one of them would have made the blatantly racist remark that you have made. Would you have been less offended if the ambulance driver was not an Indian? Do you not value human life? Why do you think you are superior to expats, especially Indians? What if that Indian driver was driving one of your own relatives to the hospital? Would you have been able to face your family then after they got to know about your ridiculous behaviour? Allah has created all human beings, so it is not your right to decide that you are superior to others.
Get real Mahmoud
Posted by 558 on Thursday 15 October 2009 at 09:15 UAE time
This is quite frankly the stupidest and narrow minded opinion I have ever heard.
You say know your place who on earth do you think you are! what exactly do you think would happen to the UAE's economy if every expat left??
I'm sure that the amount of comments on here has proven to you that it's very unlikely anyone would agree that the pride of an Emarati is above anyone else's life.
If an ambulance needs to pass you let it you fool - whoever you are, where ever you are! that my friend would meet the international standards your country is striving to achieve!
Posted by 558 on Thursday 15 October 2009 at 09:15 UAE time
This is quite frankly the stupidest and narrow minded opinion I have ever heard.
You say know your place who on earth do you think you are! what exactly do you think would happen to the UAE's economy if every expat left??
I'm sure that the amount of comments on here has proven to you that it's very unlikely anyone would agree that the pride of an Emarati is above anyone else's life.
If an ambulance needs to pass you let it you fool - whoever you are, where ever you are! that my friend would meet the international standards your country is striving to achieve!
To Mahmoud
Posted by Simon, Dubai, Dubai on Wednesday 14 October 2009 at 16:22 UAE time
You Clown!!
There is no such thing as status, position and sometimes curteousy in life threatening situations...YOU should have respect for an injured person who NEEDS urgent medical attention no matter what YOU believe your status is.
The emirati had total disresect for the injured person because his ambulance driver was INDIAN...how racist and disrespectful can you get. Sounds like your priority would be to let a person die rather than let your pride be 'hurt'. What a disgusting attitude to have to human life!
Of all the emirati's i Know...and i know many...many in very high positions...you would be shunned for your gross attitude and disrespect to an injured person. All i have found from people of status in the UAE is that they are humble in their actions and are extremely curtious and understanding...which would put a well mannered, well brought up westerner to shame.
You?...well you are minority that unfortunately exists in every society...self centred and ignorant to a fault!
Posted by Simon, Dubai, Dubai on Wednesday 14 October 2009 at 16:22 UAE time
You Clown!!
There is no such thing as status, position and sometimes curteousy in life threatening situations...YOU should have respect for an injured person who NEEDS urgent medical attention no matter what YOU believe your status is.
The emirati had total disresect for the injured person because his ambulance driver was INDIAN...how racist and disrespectful can you get. Sounds like your priority would be to let a person die rather than let your pride be 'hurt'. What a disgusting attitude to have to human life!
Of all the emirati's i Know...and i know many...many in very high positions...you would be shunned for your gross attitude and disrespect to an injured person. All i have found from people of status in the UAE is that they are humble in their actions and are extremely curtious and understanding...which would put a well mannered, well brought up westerner to shame.
You?...well you are minority that unfortunately exists in every society...self centred and ignorant to a fault!
Click here to post a comment
MORE FROM ARABIANBUSINESS.COM
TOP IN MIDDLE EAST CULTURE & SOCIETY
TOP MIDDLE EAST BUSINESS STORIES
ALSO IN MIDDLE EAST CULTURE & SOCIETY
LATEST MIDDLE EAST BUSINESS NEWS
- Banking & Finance: Dubai raises further $5bn in bond sale
- Transportation: Shipping slump stops Bahrain's new port signing main liner
- Real Estate: UAE real estate market has now hit bottom - analysts
- Transportation: Saudi, Dubai flights hit by toilet malfunction
- Travel & Hospitality: Emirates increases Amman, Doha services
SHARE PRICE CHECK
RELATED STORIES
Dubai Police
| 172 stories- Senior traffic cop calls for licence age to be lowered
25 Oct '09 | News - Speed limit cushion set to drop for Dubai buses, taxis
19 Oct '09 | News - New police team to probe UAE financial crimes
14 Oct '09 | News
Mobile
