Over 11,000 cars impounded

More than 11,000 cars have been seized by the Dubai authorities in the first 11 months of the year, with hundreds of thousands of fines issued during the same period.

by

Amira Agarib

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Published: Thu 27 Dec 2012, 9:18 AM

Last updated: Tue 7 Apr 2015, 2:30 PM

The police seized around 6,120 cars, 2,448 bicycles and quad bikes and 239 motorcycles while, the patrols department, which works separately from the police, seized another 5,273 cars.

In the third part of a KT traffic awareness campaign, we look at the epidemic of stunt racing on the sand and road, and what can be done to get more blood off the ground

Khaleej Times

Most of the car confiscations were a result of aggressive driving, expired car registration, overloading passengers and driving under the influence of alcohol.

Meanwhile, a phenomenal 466,239 traffic violations were issued by both the police and the patrols department, mostly for speeding, tyre violations, overloading cars and crossing roads in undesignated areas.

The General Department of Traffic caught 8,809 motorists for aggressive driving during a police campaign from January and until November, compared to 2,689 during the same period the year before. During the campaign, the police seized almost three times as many cars this year, with 967 cars compared to 341 last year.

In a separate campaign targeting bus drivers, the police caught 944 buses that were overloaded, compared to 527 last year. The police seized 411 buses compared to 85 last year. During the police campaign against heavy trucks, the police have issued 42,371 traffic violations this year.

Khaleej TimesColonel Saif Muhair Al Mazroui said that the Dubai Traffic Institute had held 112 training courses to enhance work of the police personnel and the police had organised 34 training courses for the reduction of black points.

The Dubai Police are continuing its campaign ‘No blood on the sands’, with 24 patrols deployed to prevent accidents and to spread awareness among the public on the dangerous impact of racing, dangerous bike riding habits and performing stunts on the sand. The campaign also aims at educating them on the importance of wearing helmets and safety suits while riding motorcycles. The campaign will also educate drivers against speeding, reckless driving and racing, especially near the camping areas, which may endanger the lives of family and children.

Col. Saif said that the Dubai Ambulance is participating in the campaign to train people in first aid. He revealed that during the current year, the police had organised 11 traffic campaigns.


If you are involved in an accident

Police say the first thing to do is to make sure people in your vehicle are uninjured, and if anyone is hurt and requires an ambulance, dial 999 and an operator will assist.

If everyone is alright, look over the damage that has occurred. Call 999 and request for the Traffic Police and do not move any vehicles involved. The Traffic Police will arrive and evaluate the accident and fill an accident form.

One copy of the accident form will be given to the vehicles and the licence of the individual who caused the accident will be taken. If you caused the accident, you will need to take the form to your insurance company. If you didn’t cause the accident, then you can take the form to the other driver’s insurance company, so that their insurance company can fix your vehicle.

If an accident occurs in Dubai and all vehicles can be driven, then they should be moved to the side of the road to stop traffic block. Those who do not move their vehicle will be fined Dh100. news@khaleejtimes.com


2 more speed radars shot at in Sharjah

Another two speed radars were shot at by unidentified criminals in Sharjah seeking to avoid speeding tickets, bringing the total number of vandalised radars to 14 in some weeks.

On December 6, twelve radars were shot at, including two in the central city’s Al Dhaid Road and another 10 along Sharjah highways. Early on Wednesday morning, two more radars were shot on Al Dhaid Road, a police source at the Sharjah Police said. He said police were still hunting for the culprits.

A Sharjah Police officer said police in all areas in Sharjah were cracking down on criminals as part of the investigation to find those responsible.

The police have so far repaired 11 of the vandalised speed radars.

“All repaired radars are now operating as normal and working,” the officer said. He also said that the police were still investigating the incidents of the 12 radars damaged earlier, alongside the two from yesterday and had launched an intensified search for the perpetrators of the crimes. He added that shooting such apparatus hinders the authorities’ efforts to ensure safer roads across the country.

“We cannot disclose the progress of the investigation at this point but we want to assure the general public that police are following some good leads and soon the perpetrators would be brought to justice.”

He said that the practice of shooting down radars is alien to good behaviour and morals of the youths of the UAE and that a small misbehaving gang is suspected to be behind the shootings. He also urged the public to call the police and provide information if they suspect any one living in their neighbourhoods to be involved in the crime. -afkarali@khaleejtimes.com


Road crash claims Emirati’s life

An Emirati was killed and an Asian man was injured in Ras Al Khaimah on Wednesday, when the car driven by the Emirati crashed into the latter’s vehicle.

According to a senior police officer, the 26-year-old Emirati identified as A.A.R., died on the spot while the Asian man sustained several injuries. He was rushed to the hospital.

Captain Salem Mohammed, Head of Traffic and Patrols Section at the Daqdaqa Comprehensive Police Station, said investigations showed that the Emirati entered the main road in the Daqdaqa area without checking if it was clear.

“His vehicle crashed into the car driven by the Asian, who was driving properly,” he said.

Mohammed urged all motorists to strictly observe traffic rules and regulations, and abide by set speed limits on internal roads and highways to prevent such accidents from happening in the future.

“As per the tougher unified traffic law with higher fines and a black point system enacted in 2008 all over the country, the erring motorists penalised with 24 black points shall lose their driving licence.”

“Driving callously costs erring drivers Dh2,000, 12 black points, as well as the impoundment of the vehicle for 30 days. Not carrying a driving licence or using a horn in a disturbing way, draws a fine of Dh100,” he added.

The case was referred to the prosecution for legal procedures. -ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com


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