Tailgating kills 22 in Abu Dhabi

Tailgating resulted in 227 accidents last year, representing 12 per cent of traffic accident causes. And these accidents resulted in 22 deaths and 16 serious injuries, according to statistics released by the Abu Dhabi Police Traffic and Patrols Directorate.

Colonel Mohammed Saif Al Mazroui, Chief of Peripheral Regions Traffic Section, Traffic and Patrols Directorate at Abu Dhabi Police, highlighted the dangers of not keeping a safe distance between cars.

Driving with use of headlights and horn to bully leading vehicle's driver to get out of the way are “annoying practises that may cause the front vehicle’s driver to lose concentration and focus, thus increasing the number of traffic accidents”, warned the Directorate.

Col. Al Mazroui said, “Such practices aimed at forcing other drivers to make way are considered as aggressive driving.”

He explained that not leaving a safe distance behind vehicles increases the risk of rear-end collisions. Also, drivers may not be able to control their vehicles on time should the driver ahead unexpectedly stop or if some mechanical issues or road conditions unexpectedly show up, etc.

He stressed the need to intensify control through traffic patrols and traffic Investigation officers on internal and external roads in order to catch violators in the act.

“Motorists violating the 'safe distance' traffic rule will receive four black points and a fine of Dh400,” said Col. Al Mazroui. Number of fines issued last year in Abu Dhabi totaled 13,976 violations.

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