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Motorists in minor accidents asked to avoid creating jams

Dubai Police said yesterday they had deployed policemen at major intersections, roundabouts and congestion areas to organise traffic as they felt there was a serious need to tackle traffic flow problems.

Police officers are part of the police teams handling traffic, said Colonel Mohammed Saif Al Zafeen, Deputy Director of Dubai Traffic Police Department.

"If you think it is a hobby of these policemen and officers to stand in the street to organise traffic, you are mistaken - they are there because there is a need to do that," said the police officer in an interview with Dubai Television's Channel 33 last night.

He was responding to questions over public worries regarding driving on several roads during the WB-IMF meetings and parking in areas near the Dubai International Convention Centre (DICC) where the meetings will take place.

Col. Zafeen is head of the traffic committee for the WB-IMF meetings.

He said motorists should remove their cars involved in minor or injury-free accidents to road sides.

Afterwards, they can go to the nearest police station to have their accidents investigated.

He said that is the best way to ensure smooth traffic flow.

The official said a meeting of traffic police officers was held in which it was stressed that they would operate in the field to prevent traffic congestion.

He said officers had done that in the past during festivals and major events. Dubai Police last week unveiled its traffic plan for the city during the annual meetings. Col. Zafeen said the event would certainly cause temporary disruption for city residents, but he hoped residents would cooperate fully with police plans.

Hundreds of thousands of motorists living in Dubai or transiting through the city will have to adopt to new road maps to their destinations during the annual meetings as some roads will be closed to facilitate traffic for visiting delegations and ensure smooth vehicular traffic to alternative routes preferred by motorists.

Implementation of the plan started yesterday and will continue till September 25.

Police placed advertisements in local English and Arabic newspapers to guide people on the arrangements.

Colonel Zafeen urged motorists to avoid the Shaikh Zayed Road and 2nd Zabeel Road when the main meetings take place on September 23 and 24.

Police said earlier heavy and light trucks and buses would be banned on all the emirate's roads except the Emirates road on September 23 and 24 from 6am to 12 midnight.

• UAE