Reckless teen's stunt driving scares UAE residents

Ras Al Khaimah - "He badly damaged the public property and endangered lives."

An 18-year-old reckless driver, who performed dangerous stunts with his father's car and damaged the road, has been nabbed by the Ras Al Khaimah Police. The young motorist had received his driving licence less than six months back.
Col Ahmad Al Sam Al Naqbi, director of Traffic and Patrols Department, RAK Police, said: "The careless driver, who was driving alone, spread panic around and scared all the road users nearby. He badly damaged the public property."
On being alerted, the central operations room of the Ras Al Khaimah Police immediately dispatched a traffic patrol to the reported site, but the driver was gone.
"The police initiated investigations, tracked down the callous driver, and arrested him in less than two hours." Probes showed that he got his driving licence less than six months back. "The car involved in the stunts proved to be his father's," Col Al Naqbi said.
The young driver was referred to the RAK traffic prosecution for legal action.
Col Al Naqbi said the RAK Police deal with zero tolerance against such irresponsible practices.
"As per Article 1 of the Federal Traffic Law, a fine of Dh2,000 shall be slapped on any driver involved in such risky road stunts."
The car involved shall be impounded for 60 days, he said. "Up to 23 black traffic points shall also be recorded against the erring driver."
Official records show that the RAK Police nabbed 410 reckless drivers last year for performing stunts or driving in a dangerous way that posed a grave risk to road users' life, he pointed out.
"These 410 callous drivers included 402 who were causing noise with their vehicles, while eight others endangered people's life while driving across residential areas, or around schools and hospitals."
Up to 257 drivers were booked for dangerous driving in 2017, he added.
"These included 169 noisy drivers, and 84 who were driving carelessly, while four driving dangerously."
Col Al Naqbi advised the public to report any such traffic violations or stunts to the police. "The central operations room is accessible round-the-clock for free at (999) or (901)."

ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com

• Ras Al Khaimah