Fresh warning for drivers using mobile phones

Dubai’s traffic police chief has issued a fresh warning for motorists in the emirate against the use their mobile phones while driving, saying such a practice is as risky as driving under the influence of alcohol.

Major General Mohammed Al Zafin said the use of mobile phones while driving as well as negligence and other traffic violations caused 1,437 accidents in Dubai in the first eight months of 2011. He said that the accidents resulted in the death of 87 people at Rashid Hospital alone.

“We again appeal for all drivers to concentrate on the road and not use their mobile phones while driving….talking on the mobile or writing a text will only detract the driver’s attention and result in an accident,” he told Albayan daily.

He cited a recent traffic police study showing that driving while using the mobile phone is as risky as driving under the influence of alcohol. “For this reason, most countries have enacted legislation banning the use of mobiles while driving His figures showed that a whopping 35,592 mobile phone offences were recorded in the first eight months of 2011 and that such offences were a key cause of road crashes along with speed, negligence and reckless driving.

Zafin said Emiratis were the second main causers of road accidents in the emirate after Pakistanis as they were involved in 163 mishaps, resulting in the death of 20 people and injury of 261.

 “Emiratis came in the second position after Pakistanis in the list of drivers causing accidents in the emirate,” he said.

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