Over 1,000 fined for careless driving in UAE during 2018

Ras Al Khaimah - Female drivers putting make-up and male motorists adjusting their head gear are common forms of distracted driving.

A total of 1,029 drivers were booked for inattentive driving in Ras Al Khaimah in 2018, according to the RAK Police. As many as 136 traffic accidents were also caused due to carelessness, said a senior RAK Police official.
Col Ahmed Al Sam Al Naqbi, director of the traffic and patrols department, RAK Police, said some of the erring drivers were nabbed eating while on the wheels. "Some were caught talking on the phone, chatting and browsing social media. Male drivers proved to be talking more on the phone compared to female motorists," he added. "Most of the erring drivers were 20 to 25 years old."
Col Al Naqbi said that two of the reported accidents were blamed on the drivers' distraction due to phones. "Up to 62 accidents were due to swerving, 42 for failing to observe lane rule, and 30 because of ignoring safety distance.
"Being one of the most dangerous traffic violations, inattentive driving has been toughly penalised in law. A fine of Dh400 and four black traffic points are slapped against erring drivers involved."
However, the penalty gets tougher if the distracted driver poses a risk, Col Al Naqbi warned. "A fine of Dh1,000, along with 12 black traffic points, and vehicle impoundment are slapped if the distracted driver poses a risk to other road users."
Female drivers putting make-up or fixing their clothes and male motorists adjusting their head gear are other common forms of distracted driving, he explained. "Drinking, turning around to talk to passengers, tuning or changing the radio station while driving also fall under the same traffic breach."
Using the mobile phone at the traffic signal may be tolerated when the red light is on, he said. "However, this should never delay or obstruct traffic flow when it turns green."
ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com

• Ras Al Khaimah