Devotees getting ready for Christmas mass at St.Mary's Church Dubai on Wednesday evening. 23
Drink driving was third leading cause of traffic-related deaths in Dubai this year: Police.
Published: Wed 23 Dec 2015, 11:00 PM
Last updated: Fri 25 Dec 2015, 9:25 AM
The holiday season is here in the UAE and for many of us, the festivities have already begun. While some UAE residents are spending the holidays outside the country, many have opted for a 'staycation' with friends and family.
With all the revelry around the corner, UAE residents have been strictly warned by the police to never drive when drunk.
Be warned, driving under influence of alcohol is a major offence in Dubai > Those caught driving under the influence of alcohol can be fined, jailed or even deported. 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
> Courts can deprive the convict from the right to obtain a driving licence for a specific period if he does not hold a licence at the time of conviction
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Col Saif Muhair Al Mazroui, Director of General Department of Traffic, Dubai Police, said many accidents have been caused due to driving under influence of alcohol.
"It has resulted in seven deaths and 100 injuries out of the total 431 traffic accidents which took place during the first nine months of 2015 ... and most of the accidents occurred during the night time."
Driving under the influence of alcohol is the third leading cause of traffic-related deaths in Dubai.
"People should understand that Dubai has a zero tolerance policy towards drinking and driving. The police have a blood alcohol limit of zero," said Col Al Mazroui. "The traffic department will intensify its patrols to catch drivers who drive their cars under the influence of alcohol."
How to get around if drunk
The Roads and Transport Authority in Dubai usually deploys up to 27,000 taxis to ferry passengers on New Year's Eve, revealed Abdullah Mohammed Al Mahri, director of franchising and enforcement department, Public Transport Agency. "Planning for big events are usually done a week in advance by the taxi dispatch centre."
A mass message is sent out to all the taxi drivers and they usually station their taxis near hotspots like Al Jafiliya, Al Karama, Baniyas Square, The Dubai Mall, Dubai City Centre, Mirdif, JLT, JBR, Dubai Downtown, Atlantis and Meydan Hotel.
The RTA also works in coordination with other government departments like the Dubai Police, Dubai Tourism etc. The Dubai Metro, tram, buses, feeder buses, and ferries will be fully operational during the holiday season.
Chris Free, general manager of Uber-UAE, said: "As a technology platform, we don't employ drivers. Drivers are flexible to decide when they want to be online with the Uber platform. However, that being said, we are encouraging drivers to be online as much as possible during the peak season in order to ensure the utmost reliability and efficiency.
"We are anticipating a surge in demand during the festive season - the automated price increase that kicks in when demand is much higher than supply. We will be sending out an e-mail next week to all riders on how to best manage surge during the busiest night of the year."
Where to attend mass in the UAE
> Christmas Eve at St Francis of Assisi Church, Dubai: The evening's proceedings will begin with carol singing at 5.30pm, followed by family mass, mass in English, examination of conscience with general absolution and Christmas high mass at 11pm, followed by Malayalam mass at 1am.
( www.stfrancisjebelali.ae )
> St Marys Catholic Church, Dubai: The midnight solemn high mass will be at 12am on December 24. There will be carol sinning at 11.30pm. On Christmas day, December 25, there will be no mass at 12pm and no baptism ceremony in the evening.
( www.saintmarysdubai.org )
> Holy Trinity Church, Dubai: Midnight Eucharist at 11pm on December 24. On December 25, Christmas day family communion at 9.30am.
(www.holytrinitychurchdubai.org )
> St. Joseph's Cathedral, Abu Dhabi: Three masses and carol singing on the Christmas Eve. On the day of Christmas, 23 masses in different langugages
( www.stjosephsabudhabi.org )
> St. Paul's Church, Abu Dhabi:
English mass at 6:15am, followed by carol singing, and Christmas English mass at 7:30 and 8pm today. Christmas High Mass at 11pm.
( www.stpaulsabudhabi.org )
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dhanusha@khaleejtimes.com
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