Cars banned on RAK Old Corniche due to stunt driving

Dangerous drifting stunts by youngsters pose a grave risk to beachgoers in the RAK old corniche area. -Photo used for illustrative purposes.

The Public Works and Services Department of Ras Al Khaimah have totally blocked vehicles from accessing the extensive Old Corniche Beach.
The move follows a rise in the number of dangerous drifting stunts by youngsters that posed a grave risk to beach goers, a senior officials with the department and the RAK Police said.
Ahmad Al Hammadi, director of the public works department, said they are planning to make better use of the widespread area of the Old Corniche Beach and build parking spaces there.
"Iron barriers shall be first installed around the Old Corniche Beach to prevent any drivers from entering and misusing the open area until the planned parking spaces are built."
The traffic and patrols department of the RAK Police recently nabbed two young drivers while they were racing, drifting and performing stunts at the Old Corniche Beach.
The Central Operations Department alerted the traffic and patrols department about the two drivers who were speeding in their SUVs on the Old Corniche Beach, Al Hammadi added.
"A traffic patrol was dispatched to the site and the two cars were seized," he said, noting that young people here prefer the extensive old beach for drifting and performing stunts.
Col Al Naqbi said the RAK traffic and patrol department has surveyed the Old Corniche Beach to totally ban all vehicles from entering it in collaboration with the department of public works to curb such illegal practices.
Col Ahmed Saeed Al Sam Al Naqbi, head of traffic engineering at the traffic and patrols department, said the two 4WD vehicles were impounded, and hefty fines were slapped against the reckless drivers. "The RAK Police impounded three other vehicles in January this year. One of the errant drivers even sustained serious injuries after his car fell on him while performing a stunt on the beach."
"All the bodies concerned have to take immediate action and block all the open areas used by careless young people in performing dangerous stunts that pose a grave risk to the public."
ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com