Secret cameras to catch Dubai's traffic violators

Posted by: Jim Wednesday, 17 August 2011 2:11 PM[UAE] - UAE

There are some good, common sense contributions to this subject, particularly with regard to returning to the right hand lane after overtaking which is not only good road craft but the law as well. I wish to rename the 2nd left lane as the Nissan Tiida (or the Emirates Airline Volvo) lane because you will always find them there driving 20 kph below the limit and forcing other motorists to skirt around them. The right lane is the Bogeyman lane which many drivers never use. Why? Ignorance or arrogance? RTA could use their shiny and expensive gantry message boards to display a message such as "return to the right hand lane after overtaking" instead of the some of the messages that they normally display (e.g. "beware of water ponds"). Micro buses (especially those operated by Fancy) should be restricted to the two right hand lanes. Finally, why can many drivers never anticipate a forthcoming departure from SZR and cut across three lanes at their exit?

Posted by: Ibrahim Sunday, 28 August 2011 6:40 PM[UAE] - UAE

I learned to drive in the US. On many highways there they display big signs saying "Slow Traffic Keep Right". The authorities here should do the same in Arabic, English & Malayalam so that people understand.

Most drivers here come from countries with no highways so they don't understand proper highway etiquette. When I drive in Europe, the UK or North America, most people try to stay in the inside lanes as much as people, leaving the outside lanes for overtaking only. This enables a much safer and smoother traffic flow.

Perhaps the UAE should send some Nationals to get degrees in Traffic Engineering from the West.

Posted by: MoMan Tuesday, 16 August 2011 5:28 PM[UAE] - UAE

Why don't they implement a "Keep Right Except to Pass" rule here in the UAE?

Left lane should be for passing vehicles in-front of you or people who are driving above the speed limit for whatever reason.

I thinlk this will have a huge impact on the flow of traffic and should lead to less tailgating and eventually less accidents.

Posted by: Faisal Tuesday, 16 August 2011 9:15 AM[UAE] - UAE

Today just before Iftar time I was driving down SZR in the 2nd left lane between 100 - 110km/h when suddenly I found myself behind someone driving 80. Not only was the lane empty in front of him while cars passed by on both sides, he suddenly decided to brake and slow even more making me drive almost 60km/h behind him. I definetly was at risk being hit by a car twice as fast as me and I was too slow to overtake him safely. If the road doesn't kill me, the stress will.

Posted by: The STig Tuesday, 16 August 2011 12:24 PM[UAE] - UAE

Please feel free to use your lights and horns, they are not 'car accessories' but necessities and are not for limited use only on the leftmost lane.

Consider it a courtesy to others to wake up such 'sleep-drivers' who are hazards not only to themselves. Especially buses, minivans and trucks who should not be anywhere near the two leftmost lanes to start with.

I have no qualms for making other drivers move to the right if they are driving on the leftmost lanes in a hazardous way. It takes away from the boredom sometimes.

Posted by: NigelB Monday, 15 August 2011 6:25 PM[UAE] - UAE

Stig, you talk about sticking in the left lane but my experience is that they are the 'fast' drivers not the ones that hold people up. The real problem is the drivers in the 2nd left lane driving at 10kph below the limit looking straight ahead without being aware of other traffic. They end up causing most of the problems linked to smooth traffic flow (causing drivers like myself to go in the left lane at the speed limit & get in the way of the maniacs at higher speeds that insist on flashing me when I have nowhere to go, or others that zig-zag in and out across all 4 lanes to make progress).
As a former policeman I see cameras as a revenue generation rather than road safety factor.
As for discounting fines that just sends a message that road safety is not that important!!

Posted by: Kuruvilla Zachariah Sunday, 21 August 2011 5:35 PM[UAE] - UAE

Yes, NigelB - sadly, one of the primary messages that the speed cameras have managed to erroneously communicate to drivers is, "slow is good", in whichever lane. Not good! Instead, the maxim should be: "if the car on your right is faster than you, you're in the wrong lane". That's a good thumb rule to follow. Speed cameras do very little to enforce good driving etiquette. Consider also that speed limits in most areas are now set well below the intuitive driving speed, in my opinion, and therefore even sane drivers are prone to being flashed. Of course, intuitive driving speeds, it can be argued, are relative to each driver. Still, consider this as a case in point: the speed limit on the road from the Airport Cargo Village down towards the Aviation Club is now 60 kmph. I'm not insisting on 120 kmph, but how about 80 kmph in the least!? That's the speed at which even a slow driver would intuitively drive on such a road. Sadly all these add up to making driving a tense experience now.

Posted by: Hammad Tuesday, 16 August 2011 12:22 PM[UAE] - UAE

Fully agreed with nigelB

Posted by: Telcoguy Tuesday, 16 August 2011 9:16 AM[UAE] - UAE

"As a former policeman I see cameras as a revenue generation rather than road safety factor.
As for discounting fines that just sends a message that road safety is not that important!!"
Both statements are true and not only in the UAE. Cash strapped governments are turning to "alternative taxation" in quite a few places.

Posted by: John Monday, 15 August 2011 5:32 PM[UAE] - UAE

Yet as Arabian Business reported earlier this month: "Dubai Police said Sunday they would offer a discount to drivers with existing fines for a limited period, on the condition that the penalties were settled in full. The move follows a decision by Abu Dhabi to halve the cost of existing traffic fines for offenders. "