Dangerous driving killed 66 in Abu Dhabi in 2019

Major traffic violations - reckless driving, road racing, and beating the red light - have caused 894 serious accidents last year, resulting in the death of 66 people in Abu Dhabi, police said on Thursday.

Brig Suhail Saeed Al Khaili, director of the Central Operations Sector at the Abu Dhabi Police, said these offences had also been found to be the cause of 716 less severe accidents and 543 minor ones in 2019.

Around 35.5 per cent of all road fatalities in the same period and nearly half of all severe injuries were all caused by reckless driving behaviour, he added.
These statistics have prompted the Abu Dhabi Police to impose heftier fines and stricter penalties on certain traffic violations.

On Wednesday, the authorities in the Capital started implementing a new traffic law on impounding vehicles. Now, cars could get impounded for violations such as colliding with a police vehicle. illegal road racing, and driving without a valid plate number. These major offences also carry penalties of up to Dh50,000.

Vehicles could also be seized for offences like allowing children below 10 to sit in front; causing an accident because of overspeeding, swerving and tailgating; and failing to give priority to pedestrians. Fines were set at Dh5,000 for these violations.

Racking up more than Dh7,000 in traffic fines is another cause of impoundment, under the new traffic law.

Brig Al Khaili said the decision was issued following a series of comprehensive studies, aiming to address irresponsible behaviour among drivers and keep roads safer for all.

Auctions shall be held for impounded vehicles that would remain unclaimed after three months, the authorities explained. If the value of the vehicle is less than the fines due, the remaining balance will be added to the offender's traffic file and the violation will not be cancelled, they added.

"The new decision is not a federal one and only applies to Abu Dhabi emirate. The decision does not contradict the federal traffic law," Brig Al Khaili clarified.

ismail@khaleejtimes.com

• Abu Dhabi

Ismail Sebugwaawo

ismail@khaleejtimes.com