Saturday, Aug 01, 2009
Gulf News
Dubai: Motorists from across the UAE will soon be able to attend Dubai Police traffic rule course that provides an opportunity to eliminate black points, a senior official has said.
First Lieutenant Obaid Humaid Al Zari, Chief of Advanced Driver Training at the Traffic Department of Dubai Police, said, "We are planning to offer motorists with driving licences issued from other emirates the opportunity to take part of the lectures which offer them the chance to eliminate black points."
However, he did not mention a time-frame for the step's implementation.
Currently, only motorists holding a Dubai driving licence can attend the optional four-lecture course on road safety.
The attendees have the opportunity to remove up to eight black points by paying a fee of Dh200 per two points.
The programme is beneficial for drivers who are close to the maximum 24 black points that require their driving licences to be confiscated for three months, as they can reduce the black points.
Motorists who have already acquired 24 black points cannot attend the course.
The course was first launched in June and owing to public interest, the Traffic Department decided to run it on a monthly basis and extend the duration from two days to four.
"What we have understood from attendants' feedback is that their level of commitment with the traffic rules has increased because they were more aware of rules after the course. However, we will be able to know more precisely on how much these courses has contributed to safer roads towards the end of the year when we receive comprehensive surveys," said Al Zari responding to a question on the efficiency of the course in increasing road safety.
More than 4,980 motorists have received more than 15 black points.
While more than 1,940 motorists have surpassed the permitted black points limit of 24 and more than 1,740 had their licences confiscated, according to the latest Dubai Police statistics.
The violations range from jumping a red traffic light to reckless changing of lanes and parking in undesignated areas. But the most common reason for gaining black points was not abiding by lane discipline.
Dates
This month the course will be held at the Headquarters of the General Department of Traffic between August 3-6. Those who would like to attend this month's course can call the traffic department on: 80070000 or 0555500393
The course is conducted in three languages - Arabic, English and Urdu.
Do you think such lectures are a good method to correct driving behaviour? Or would the removal of black points make drivers more reckless?
By Wafa Issa Staff Reporter
Gulf News 2009. All rights reserved.
