Avoid speeding, reckless driving, youths in UAE warned

Abu Dhabi - Bad drivers or those violating traffic rules were the primary cause of crashes in the country.

 Young motorists must avoid speeding, reckless driving and driving without a licence as these can lead to dangerous accidents, judicial authorities warned during a lecture on 'Traffic Violations' at a meeting in Mushrif area in Abu Dhabi.
Officials from the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department said bad drivers or those violating traffic rules were the primary cause of crashes in the country.
Abdullah Meher Al Ketbi said: "It is important that all motorists abide by traffic regulations to ensure safer roads."
"Committing traffic violations is a dangerous habit which causes accidents that claim lives of innocent road users besides damaging property."
Al Ketbi urged all drivers - especially youths who are behind in most of the crashes - to avoid speeding and reckless driving and pay attention on the road while behind the wheels.
He cautioned using cell phones to reply to text messages, or calling while driving.
According to judicial authorities, the UAE government has introduced new traffic laws and made amendments to existing ones to encourage good driving habit and promote safety on the roads.
The public has also been told to report wrong and dangerous practices on various roads to authorities so the errant drivers can be prosecuted.
The judicial department's annual report released last year showed that cases of traffic offences that were referred to the traffic prosecution increased from 2,955 cases during 2016 to 8,039 in 2017.
The increase in the number of errant drivers being prosecuted was attributed to the intensive campaigns and increased traffic patrols on various roads across the emirate.
The lecture also included a number of awareness short films produced by the department to spread road safety messages and sensitise people about the dangers of traffic violations.
ismail@khaleejtimes.com

• Abu Dhabi