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29 March 2024

Abu Dhabi 'hunts' down hundreds of speedsters

The Abu Dhabi Police is effectively using laser-operated hunter radars installed in civilian and undercover vehicles to nab hundreds of speed limit violators from various parts of the Emirate. (SUPPLIED)

Published
By VM Sathish

The Abu Dhabi Police is effectively using laser-operated hunter radars installed in civilian and undercover vehicles to nab hundreds of speed limit violators from various parts of the Emirate.

Traffic rule violators spotted by the newly introduced Al Qannas (Hunter) radars are fined on the spot.

“Now we have about 30 Gun Radars that are fitted on civilian vehicles and bikes. These Al Qannas mobile radars have been helping Abu Dhabi Police to nab at least 100 traffic violations, especially for over speeding, per day.  Sometimes the daily number of speeding motorists exceeds a hundred. Thirty Al Qannas cameras are always on patrol in different routes of Abu Dhabi,” said Captain Mohammed Al Zaabit, Abu Dhabi Police official.

Speaking to Emirates 24|7 at the Gitex, he said the number of over-speeding cases have come down a little, but still there are many youngsters driving between 200 kmph to 250 kmph. While some police petrol vehicles are equipped with speed radars, many motorists are caught unawares by the mobile radars on civilian vehicles. 

These radars helped Abu Dhabi Police catch a Ferrari which was zipping at 250 kmph and a Bentley moving at 213 kmph. Many youngsters resort to reckless car racing and over speeding stunts.

“When there is a police patrol or a stationary camera, motorists tend to behave and follow the  speed limit. When there are no such restrictions, they tend to over speed. When hunter  radars are fixed on civilian cars or  bikes, erring motorists can be easily caught,” he said.

Unlike the normal radars when the fine payment comes later, cops on civilian vehicles installed with hunter radar can stop the vehicles on the spot and make the driver pay the fine on the spot. “Normal fines can be paid within a few months or once in a year. In this case, the motorist will have to pay the fine on the spot. The radars work effectively both in the day time and at night and in any directions. These 30 hunter radars are always on the move in the internal and main roads,” the Abu Dhabi Police source said.

The mobile radar camera is being demonstrated at the Gitex where Abu Dhabi Police have displayed a number of other electronic services. The radars are easy to operate and can be set up within three minutes in a civilian vehicle.

“The fines can range from Dh400 to Dh2,000. Every day we these radars catch at minimum 100 over-speeding cases.” The hunter radar is a laser-operated device that allows cops to capture a clear image of speeding vehicles, and is also capable of producing videos.
Reckless driving continues to remain a major traffic problem in Abu Dhabi who try to imitate Formula 1 drivers they see at the Yas Marina circuit.

The fine for over speeding, reckless driving and racing can go up to Dh2,000, 12 black points and confiscation of the vehicle.