Tickets issued to 36,000 on phone while driving

Dubai’s traffic police issued tickets to more than 36,000 motorists caught using their mobile phones while driving, a practice described as a key factor in accidents, a newspaper reported on Thursday.

Although such offences are punishable by a Dh200 fine and four black points, many drivers are still using their mobile phones in the car in disregard of existing federal traffic laws, Al Ittihad Arabic language daily said, quoting Major General Mohammed Saif Al Zafeen, director of Dubai’s traffic police department.

His figures showed traffic police in the emirate issued 36,592 tickets to drivers caught using their mobiles in the car in the first eight months of 2011.

“These drivers are simply not complying with the road rules and this requires measures to deter them…we are planning to intensify patrols in the coming period to ensure discipline,” he said.

“Without tougher measures, these drivers will continue to disregard the law and traffic rules despite our repeated appeals and warnings not to use the mobile phone while driving to avert accidents and save lives.”

In Abu Dhabi, officials said on Wednesday there are plans to introduce stiffer penalties against offences involving using mobile phones while driving. They include a Dh1,200 fine, 12 black points and impounding of the car for one month.

Survey

A poll conducted recently among 10,000 people by Arabic daily Emarat Al Youm showed that 44 per cent of them acknowledged using mobile phone while driving but 56 per cent of them denied doing so.

He said that some people consider "using the mobile phones while driving as a habit.”

Maj. Gen Al-Zafeen said the result of the survey shows a very high percentage and indicated the lack of awareness among the people who took part in the poll.

He stressed " it is very dangerous when driving on highways and talk on the phone where it is very difficult to control the car with high speed.

Maj. Gen Al-Zafeen pointed out "there are other factors causing road accidents, including high speed, road condition and the experience of the driver.

He warned that the habitual practices of using phone while driving, sending SMSs or making a call reduce concentration of the driver and his ability to act in emergency situations.

He called for a continuation of the campaign, "Ataha'ad" adopted by Emarat Al Youm newspaper in cooperation with several government institutions throughout the year.

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