Dubai Police has warned motorists against using mobile phone while driving as it is considered to be one of the most dangerous traffic violations in Dubai. The traffic data of the first three months of 2018 was recently revealed by Dubai Police that suggested a decrease in fines issued for using mobile phone while driving as compared to the same period last year.
However, the decrease still cannot be deemed as satisfactory, considering using mobile phone while driving has remained as one of the major reasons behind traffic accidents in Dubai for the last few years. Motorists have been asked to remain attentive while driving as authorities aim to improve road safety situation at the start of the new school session after spring break.
Official Statement on the Use of Mobile Phone While Driving
Colonel Juma Salim Bin Suwaidan, Director General of Traffic Department at Dubai Police revealed the traffic stats of first three months of 2018 on the use of mobile phone while driving and explained the road safety risks associated with this dangerous traffic violation. According to Dubai Police, 12,257 traffic violations were recorded during the first three months of 2018, which means 136 motorists were fined every day in Dubai for using mobile phone while driving.
Colonel Juma Salim Bin Suwaidan added that 16,090 motorists were fined for using mobile phone while driving during the same period in 2017. The stats show a positive decrease in the number of violations committed, but 136 fines issued per day in the last three months is still a worrying sign for authorities.
Further explaining the risks of using a mobile phone while driving, Colonel Juma Salim Bin Suwaidan pointed out that lack of attention while driving puts road safety of commuters under severe threat and can cause dangerous situations. He mentioned that by using a mobile phone while driving, you don’t only put your own life at risk, but also the lives of other commuters. The motorists must realize how few seconds of distraction while driving can spell disaster on a busy road.
Also read: The Leading Cause of Road Deaths in the UAE Revealed
Why Motorists use Mobile Phone While Driving?
Distracted driving can prove to have fatal consequences on a busy road. Motorists use mobile phones while driving to listen to phone calls, reply text messages and check their social media networking profiles. Using social media networking sites has emerged to be the most common reason behind the use of mobile phone while driving according to the authorities.
Motorists must avoid or delay all unnecessary activities that can take their attention away from the road. Distracted driving is extremely dangerous because it can increase the risk of committing some other dangerous violations such as over-speeding, tailgating, lane swerving and jumping the red signal. Run-over accidents can also be caused by distracted driving, which can prove to have deadly consequences.
Also read: UAE Police Warns Motorists for Taking Selfies While Driving
Penalties for Using a Mobile Phone while Driving
The penalties for dangerous traffic violations were increased in the recently amended traffic law. The new traffic law was implemented in the UAE on July 1, 2018 and according to the new law, motorists can be penalized with an AED 800 fine and four black points can also be issued against their driving license for using a mobile phone while driving.
Also read: Traffic Violations with a Penalty of more than 10 Black Points against a Driving License
Be Safe Motorists!
It is important for motorists to focus on driving in a safe manner, particularly because schools have reopened across the UAE after the spring break and roads are expected to become more crowded than before. Motorists have been asked by authorities to follow safe driving habits particularly near school zones and stop when they see the “Stop Arm” of a school bus activated.
Motorists can face a fine of AED 1,000 along with 10 black points issued against their license on failing to stop when the Stop Arm of the school bus is activated. It is a serious traffic offence and you can only avoid it by driving with complete attention on the road.
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