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28 March 2024

Drink driving causes most accidents in Dubai

Published

Accidents caused by drivers under the influence of alcohol topped the list of road accidents in Dubai this year, although the number of incidents has shown a marginal decrease.

Releasing the 2010 figures, Salah Bofrucha Al Falasi, Head of Dubai Traffic Prosecution said 1,092 people were booked for causing accidents while driving drunk. The figure was 1,155 in 2009.

He said the licenses of 859 of these drivers were cancelled.

The Dubai Traffic Prosecution coordinates with the relevant authorities to enforce the country’s law against drink driving and penalise violators.
Prosecutors bank on tests done on blood samples of those accused in drink driving violations, the official said. The tests reveal the alcohol content in the blood.

Some of those netted under the strict law against drink driving were involved in fatal accidents, Bofrucha said. Many of them led to serious injuries or damage to public properties.

In serious cases, the Dubai Traffic Prosecutor seeks judicial intervention in cancelling the licenses of the violators.

According to recent amendments in the Traffic Law of 2007, anyone caught for drink driving will face imprisonment, fines not less than Dh20,000, or both.

The official urged motorists to abide by the rules and avoid falling on the wrong side of the strict law, especially in view of the New Year’s Eve celebrations on Friday.