New truck device to monitor drivers, faults in Dubai

Dubai - The service intends to note the risks posed by vehicles, drivers and transport companies and apply a more rigorous approach to defaulters

Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) announced the start of the Mandatory Phase for installation of remote monitoring devices to detect faults in heavy trucks that have completed more than 20 years in service.
This phase will start on August 1 at the Vehicles Safety Service Centre, which was launched last February in Jafza. The Centre is one of the projects implemented by RTA in support of the Smart City initiative of Dubai Government, to improve traffic safety and road security by reducing accidents of heavy vehicles.
"The Mandatory Phase follows the Elective Phase for the installation of the remote monitoring devices that expires today," said Ahmed Bahrozyan, CEO of RTA's Licensing Agency. "Transportation firms are now obliged to fit heavy vehicles, which have more than 20 years in service, with a Telematics Device upon the renewal of their registration or applying for new licenses.
"The service would be running 24/7, and it is even possible to deliver the service at the sites of fleet operators and transport companies through mobile units. Application for the service is open through RTA website (www.rta.ae), customers' service centre - vehicles safety service (60056000), email (vss.support@dt.ae) or visiting the Vehicles Safety Service Center at JAFZA. The total cost of the service is Dh1,620 including Dh500 as an annual subscription fee," explained Bahrozyan.
The service has a feature of monitoring the number of driving hours and attitudes of heavy vehicle drivers on roads (reckless driving, sudden braking, dangerous acceleration, over speeding, traffic accidents and driving in prohibited timing or places) among others.
"In the event of non-compliance with the system, RTA would be obliged not to register or renew the registration of the vehicle until it is fitted with the system. Accordingly, RTA would implement the Federal Traffic Law by abolishing the registration of the vehicle for failure to renew registration. The service targets all heavy vehicles licensed in Dubai and the implementation comprises 3 phases," Bahrozyan added.
The initial phase of the service targets about 17,000 heavy vehicles within one year from the start of the mandatory phase. The service is intended to classify the risks posed by vehicles, drivers and transport companies to apply a more rigorous approach to defaulters. It will also reduce the frequency of asking compliant vehicles to stop for on-road inspections according to the risk rating given.
The process will improve the safety of vehicles besides kerbing accidents and fatalities.
The new system can:
. Monitor number of driving hours
. Attitudes of drivers on roads
. Reckless driving
. Sudden braking
. Dangerous acceleration
. Over speeding
. Traffic accidents
. Driving in prohibited timing or places
reporters@khaleejtimes.com