Dh1,000 fine soon for eating and drinking while driving

Dubai - Don't do these while driving: Eat, drink, apply make-up, adjust head scarves, take a selfie, read, watch television and smoke

Eating, drinking and applying make-up while driving will soon be considered "driving in a dangerous manner". A new recommendation made by the Federal Traffic Council has added new articles to the law governing dangerous driving, a top Dubai Police official has said.
According to Major-General Mohammed Saif Al Zafin, Assistant Commander-in-Chief of the Dubai Police for Operations, the recommendation gives the traffic police the authority to determine what constitutes dangerous driving. The recommendation makes 10 actions - such as eating, drinking, applying make up, adjusting head scarves, taking a selfie, reading, watching televisions in cars, smoking, etc - while driving traffic violations.
When the recommendation is implemented, the violations will result in a Dh1,000 fine, 12 black points and the seizure of vehicle for a month. Applying makeup or combing hair while driving is more dangerous than using mobile phones, said Maj-Gen Al Zafin. He stressed that the police have the authority to determine if a particular action by a motorist constitutes dangerous driving.
He clarified that motorists are banned from using mobile phones while driving even when they are waiting at traffic signals. The fine for using mobile phones at traffic signals and roundabouts would be Dh200. The police will also impose four black points on errant motorists.
amira@khaleejtimes.com

• Dubai