Don't drink and drive, authorities warn

Scene from the accident involving the Ferrari that killed four people in Dubai recently. Reports say the four were drunk.- Supplied photo

Dubai - Drink driving can lead to hefty fines, imprisonment and even deportation

Dubai authorities have warned local residents and visitors against drink driving following the tragic Ferrari crash that killed four young visitors on Sunday.
Lab tests conducted by the Dubai Police indicated that all four - two Canadians and two Americans - killed in the crash were drunk when the accident took place. According to Salah Bu Farousha, Head of Dubai Traffic Public Prosecution, the drink driving accident caused one of the female victims to be torn in half by an electricity pole, while the other was thrown 150 meters off the side of the road.
Another victim, Canadian boxer Cody Nixon - who was sitting between the driver and another passenger in a car meant for two - was thrown 200 metres from the vehicle.
According to bu Farousha, the blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of the driver - Canadian national James Portuondo - was .26, while Nixon's was .36. Boston bombing survivor Victoria McGrath had a BAC of .19, and the fourth victim, Priscilla Perez Torres, had a BAC of .18.
Studies have shown that a BAC level of just .15 makes drivers 380 times more likely to be involved in an accident.
The average BAC of someone involved in a fatal drink driving incident is .17 - well below that of the driver in the Ferrari incident.
The accident, Bu Farousha noted, took place only about 10 minutes after they left a nearby hotel. CCTV footage taken from the hotel in which they were staying showed that the victims were crammed improperly into the vehicle, with two people sharing one seat and another sitting between the two seats.
Driving under the influence of alcohol in Dubai can lead to hefty fines, jail time and even deportation. The minimum fine for the offence is Dh20,000.
A court can suspend the driving licence for a period not less than three months and not more than two years and deprive the convicted driver of the right to obtain a new licence for a future period after the expiry date of the suspended licence.
The courts can also deprive the offender from the right to obtain a driving licence for a specific period if he does not hold a licence at the time of conviction.
In Abu Dhabi, the police have warned that motorists driving under the influence will be dealt with strictly and their cars will be confiscated for two months and their licences will be suspended.
Both the US and Canadian governments have warned their citizens about the UAE's harsh laws with regards to driving under the influence. "Country-wide traffic laws impose stringent penalties for certain violations, particularly driving under the influence of alcohol," reads the US State Department Travel sheet for the UAE.
"There is zero tolerance for driving after consumption of alcohol. Persons arrested for drinking and driving are often jailed for many days as they await a court hearing."- amira@khaleejtimes.com