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100 speed cameras watching motorists in Abu Dhabi

ABU DHABI — Almost hundred cameras are monitoring intersections in the capital city to detect motorists jumping the red signal.

This was disclosed yesterday. Officials also said that new speed monitoring devices would soon be installed on more roads to curb speeding.

Police have also revised the speed limits applicable to several external highways. This is the first time that traffic authorities disclosed the number of devices installed at various intersections in the city to put the brakes on traffic rule violations that have claimed many lives.

"Jumping the red signal is a violation that has caused several disastrous accidents," said Captain Hussain Ahmed Al Harthi, Head of the Traffic Engineering Section in the Traffic and Patrols Department of Abu Dhabi Police Headquarters. "Ninety cameras are working efficiently in detecting and taking shots of the vehicles that jump the red signal, and also of cars that come to a halt bang on top of a pedestrian crossing. The cameras are linked with the vehicle file systems electronically. They can be programmed in cooperation with the Municipalities Department, and controlled by the Control Centre at the Department of Municipalities and Agriculture in Abu Dhabi," he said.

The official said that speed-monitoring devices would be installed soon on Corniche Street and on the Eastern Road to detect speed limit violations.

"The installation of the devices comes as part of a comprehensive plan to reduce traffic accidents on internal arteries and external roads," he said, adding that the stretch of road from Abu Dhabi to Seih Shuaib has been covered, and speed limits were specified on the devices installed on the road, which is 160km/h from Sas Al Khail to Seih Shuaib.

Speed monitoring devices on the Abu Dhabi-Al Ain Road had also been programmed to detect violations of the 160km/h limit rule on the stretch of road starting from the Bridges Complex to Al Ain, said Capt. Al Harthi, adding that the speed limit from Suwaihan Roundabout to Al Hair is 140km/h, and that on from Suwaihan Roundabout to Al Saad is also 140km/h.

"A total of 84 speed monitoring devices have been installed and programmed, including 11 devices on the Abu Dhabi-Suwaihan road, 14 between Suwaihan and Al Hair, 10 between Suaihan and Al Saad, 18 between Abu Dhabi and Seih Shiuaib, eight on Al Mafraq-Al Shahama road and 20 between Abu Dhabi and Al Ain," he said.