Discount on driving fines if settled in one go

Discounts on traffic fines in Dubai have been approved by the Executive Council, but the timing and percentage of reduction will be announced later, a senior police officer was quoted as saying in Gulf News.

Lieutenant Colonel Saif Muhair Al Mazroui, Acting Director of Dubai Police's Traffic Department, said drivers with hefty fines will benefit from the initiative provided they settle all their fines in one go and meet other conditions to be announced later.

The announcement about the discount was first made by Lieutenant General Dahi Khalfan Tamim, Dubai Police Chief, through his Twitter account on Friday.

Announcing the department's plan to monitor traffic during Ramadan, Lt Col Al Mazroui said the number of serious accidents in Ramadan dropped from 237 in 2009 to 171 in 2010, and minor accidents from 18,054 to 16,253.

Accident statistics from the past two years show a daily peak in the number of accidents between 1pm and 5pm, which is the time most people head home from work.

Pedestrians had their share of violations with 2,769 fines issued for jay walking (crossing at areas other than allocated pedestrian crossings).

In Ramadan last year there were 16 deaths, 17 severe injuries, 39 moderate injuries and 99 simple injuries compared to 16 deaths, 18 severe injuries, 75 moderate injuries and 93 simple injuries in Ramadan 2009, Lt Col Al Mazroui told Gulf News.

Dubai Police patrols will distribute iftar kits of water, dates, cookies and napkins to drivers on Emirates Road, Shaikh Zayed Road and inter-city highways and at petrol stations.

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