Wednesday, Aug 16, 2017

Dubai: Think again before stomping on your car accelerator to cross the junction before the yellow traffic light turns red, Dubai Police warn.

“Many drivers accelerate to cross a traffic signal and this behaviour is deadly and causes serious accidents,” said Brigadier Saif Muhair Al Mazroui, director of the Traffic Department of Dubai Police.

Fortunately, none has been killed in accidents caused by motorists jumping the red light in Dubai so far this year. However, there have been dozens of injuries caused by collisions between vehicles because of this practice, Brig Al Mazroui noted.

In fact, 86 people suffered varying degrees of injuries sustained in 56 such traffic accidents recorded in the first seven months of 2017, police said. Three people were killed and 146 others injured in similar accidents during the same period last year.

Brig Al Mazroui said this violation is considered a very dangerous one and always causes deaths and injuries, not to mention the high cost of damage to cars and property.

“When a driver jumps a red signal, there is a big chance of a fatal accident as he can hit another car or pedestrian, especially if he crosses the signal at high speed,” Brig Al Mazroui said.

Meanwhile, Dubai Police issued 19,270 traffic tickets to motorists for jumping the red signal during the first seven months of this year compared to 29,328 tickets for the offence in the period last year.

According to the new Federal Traffic Law, which came into effect on July 1, the fine for light vehicles jumping the red signal is Dh1,000 and 12 black points and impounding of the vehicle for 30 days. For trucks, the fine is Dh3,000 and driver’s licence will be suspended for one year. said police.

Ali Al Shouk, Staff Reporter

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