• Home

Road accidents causing loss of Dh400-600 million per year

DUBAI — The emirate is losing a whopping Dh400-600 million every year due to the accidents caused by the negligence of drivers, Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of the Roads and Transport Authority, said yesterday.

"We need to look into the different traffic offences which cause unnecessary and unfortunate road mishaps. It is difficult to put a fullstop to accidents, but it can be minimised," he said.

Al Tayer was speaking on the sidelines of a Press conference held to announce the launch of an awareness campaign about the Black Points System in the new traffic law, which was introduced by the Dubai Police in March this year. Major-General Khamis Mattar bin Mazeina, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the police, was also present.

Mazeina pointed out that the police slap around 1.8 million fines for various traffic offences every year.

"More than 90 per cent of the offences are the result of speeding. Both the police and the RTA are working hard to ensure that the traffic offences are brought down to the minimum. The recently introduced Black Points System is a good step to make the drivers comply with the traffic norms," he said.

Al Tayer said with a majority of motorists not having an idea about the system, both the departments would be starting an extensive campaign during which people would be told about the different offences which could invite the black points against their names.

These points can be imposed even if the inspector is not present.

"The maximum of 24 black points could be recorded against a motorist if he is caught driving under the influence of liquor and driving a vehicle without the number plate, and in hit and run case and for dangerous overtaking by trucks. Once a driver gets 24 points against him, his driving licence will be suspended for three months. During this period, he will have to get retraining from a driving institute after which the suspension will be lifted," said Al Tayer.

"If the motorist repeats any of these offences and gets 24 black points for the second time, his licence will be suspended for six months. He will again have to go for retraining. The third-time offence would result in the suspension of his licence for a whole year. In case of a fourth-time violation, he will lose his licence forever. Altogether, there are 72 offences which attract the black points. In some cases, the vehicles could be impounded," he added.

• UAE