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Dubai: Reckless drivers are under scrutiny as part of a campaign to reduce accidents, a senior police official said.
Major Hassan Nasser Abdul Razzaq, Acting Director of Deira Traffic Control Department, told Gulf News that the department started a ten-day campaign on Tuesday to crack down on reckless drivers, with a focus on minibus drivers.
Seven people were killed and many others injured in two separate minibus accidents last week.
He said the campaign comes as per the directions of Brigadier Mohammad Saif Al Zafein, Director of Dubai Police's Traffic Department. Traffic control teams have specified certain inspection points to stop reckless drivers, especially in Al Mamzar and on internal roads.
"The focus on minibuses is during morning and evening peak hours, when they tend to speed and drive recklessly while carrying passengers," he said.
According to the latest statistics, there are around 22,526 registered minibuses in Dubai. Major Abdul Razzaq said the campaign aims to reduce accidents and deaths and encourage motorists to abide by traffic rules and speed limits.
"During these ten days, we will monitor whether this offence is committed on a large scale, and based on that we will carry out other related traffic control campaigns," he said.
Major Abdul Razzaq said according to the traffic law, the fine for reckless driving is Dh2,000 and motorist are also given 12 traffic points.
"The fine also includes confiscation of the vehicle for 30 days whether the fine is issued on the spot or in absentia," he said.
According to latest statistics a total of 15,728 fines have been issued for reckless driving this year.
Reckless driving
Major Hassan Nasser Abdul Razzaq, Acting Director of Deira Traffic Control Department, said reckless driving includes not abiding by lanes, in addition to excessive speeding, veering into other vehicles and endangering the lives of other road users.
Do you use a minibus to travel to work? How do you find the standard of driving? Do you think most minibus drivers drive recklessly due to the stress caused by work pressures and traffic blockades? How can the situation be improved? Tell us at letter2editor@gulfnews.com
Your comments
It is better to avoid using the fast lane, 2nd and 3rd lane by the minibuses. I request the authorities to do the needful.
Suresh
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 29, 2008, 11:47
I see them every morning on the 611 road flashing headlights driving at least 160kph with 8 / 10 passengers on board caring very little about anyone or anything so long as they get in front. These mini buses are extremely fast and in uneducated hands and most of these people are merely drivers, they represent a real danger.
Chris
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: July 24, 2008, 09:08
I have seen many mini vans were using yellow line on emirates road just before national paints round about even they are speeding on the shoulder line I just want to tell the authorities to check this in the morning hours.
Muddasir
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: July 24, 2008, 08:21
I am a regular traveler in the emirates road what I observe is the fastest vehicles in the roads are not 4X4 vehicles but it is minibuses and are always be in the fast line. I think the authority should restrict these vehicles in the slow track same like in Abu Dhabi.
Rajesh
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: July 24, 2008, 08:20
Thank God! Atlast the authorities have noticed these reckless drivers. We had been complaining about it from the last couple of years and finally we see some hope for safety to prevail on the Dubai roads.
Mohammed
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 24, 2008, 07:52
This is very good news to other drivers, especially small car drivers. 99% of the minibus drivers are reckless and drive at very high speed. Even the school Bus drivers do the same with the pupils inside. The action from the Traffic Department is highly appreiciated.
Venugopal
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: July 24, 2008, 06:51
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