UAE: Expert says increasing drivers' awareness helps change in behaviour on roads

Increasing awareness about the consequences of committing traffic offences could help change the attitudes of motorists in the UAE, an education expert has said.

Dr Ahmed Al Jassmi, director of Emirates Center for Mobility Research at UAE University, told Khaleej Times on the sildelines of the Mobility Education Summit in Abu Dhabi that the need to change the attitude of drivers remains a serious problem in the country.

“More awareness is needed for those drivers who commit traffic violations intentionally because many don’t know the consequences,” he said, adding that the drivers need to be taught about the impact of violating traffic rules, such as accidents that could be fatal and the hefty fines involved.

He noted that to avoid unintentional violations, there is a need to do more to educate the drivers about traffic rules, road signs and safe driving, enhancing their positive behaviours. Al Jassmi added that Abu Dhabi Police have rolled out several awareness campaigns to improve the drivers’ behaviours and promote safety on roads. “The road safety campaigns are helping traffic violators mend their ways and achieve greater compliance with road rules,” he said.

The Mobility Education Summit 2022, which runs at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (Adnec) until November16, is the first-of-its-kind event in the region and the world in the field of mobility and driving education.

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In his keynote speech at the summit, Colonel Khalid Al Zaabi, head of the driving and vehicle licensing department at Abu Dhabi Police, said Abu Dhabi attaches great importance on people’s safety on the roads.

ismail@khaleejtimes.com