UAE plans US-style federal police patrols on motorways

The UAE is planning to deploy federal police patrols on its motorways similar to those enforced in the United States within a strategy to curb accidents, a senior police officer in Dubai was reported on Thursday as saying.

The federal traffic council (FTC) has presented that proposal to the higher authorities for approval before the patrols are formed and deployed along the UAE’s speedways, which have been a scene for deadly car crashes due to speeding and other offences.

“At its meeting last week, the FTC approved a proposal to deploy federal police patrols along the motorways similar to those in the United States,” said Major General Mohammed Al Zafin, assistant police commander for operations.

“These patrols will be assigned with the same traffic tasks but they will have a different colour and motto…they will cover all road sites and will support other police patrols in controlling traffic and seize offending vehicles,” he told Emirat Alyoum daily.

Zafin said the FTC had presented the proposal to the higher committee for policies and strategies, headed by Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, deputy premier and interior minister, for endorsement before it is enforced through the UAE.

He said another proposal included the introduction of new federal car plates carrying the “UAE” in the middle as well as the traffic code of each emirate.

“We expect strong demand from the public or these plates, which are part of suggestions made by the public,” he said.

He added that the FTC has also suggested penalties against “nosy drivers” who stop at accident sites and cause traffic congestions on the road.

“These drivers block traffic and obstruct the work of the police and ambulances…there is a proposal to penalize these drivers,” he said.

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