Wednesday, Jan 05, 2011
Gulf News
This years strategy will be combating hostile driving
Dubai: Police plan to introduce a new traffic law which would cause fining and impounding of vehicles speeding at a green light.
A police official announced yesterday that the new rule will be introduced this year.
We didnt set a date yet, but it will be very soon this year. The 157 cameras set at traffic intersections to take the picture of violators who drive at a red light will also be turned into speeding radars which would take pictures of drivers speeding at a green light, said Major General Mohammad Saif Al Zafein, Director of the General Traffic Department at Dubai Police, during a press conference yesterday.
Dubai Police will also focus on curbing hostile driving and speeding on major roads like Emirates Road where 23 deaths occurred last year. Shaikh Zayed Road saw 15 deaths, Dubai Bypass road had 11 fatalities, and Dubai-Al Ain road seven.
This years strategy will be combating hostile driving that causes much of the fatalities, especially on roads such as Emirates Road ... we will intensify our presence on dangerous roads in order to curb the problem, Maj Gen Al Zafein said.
Police say 23 deaths occurred on Emirates Road last year, though it was less than 26 in 2009. The total number of fatalities last year was 153, the number having fallen from 225 the previous year.
The reason behind that is because Emirates Road is one of the most important roads in Dubai since its connected to other emirates. Another reason is the number of lanes on the road which is 12 [in some stretches]; sudden lane changes are the cause of many accidents on the road. Other reasons include illegal pedestrian crossing and the mixture of types of vehicles that use the road such as small cars and heavy trucks, said Maj Gen Al Zafein.
Illegal crossing by pedestrians caused an estimated 28 per cent, or 43 out of the total 153 deaths last year.
By Sara Janahi, Staff Reporter
Gulf News 2011. All rights reserved.
