RAK Police's 50% discount on traffic fines hit with residents

Supplied photo

Drivers with pending traffic fines have thronged the six centres assigned by the Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) Police to avail a 50 per cent discount on the fines incurred on the roads of the northern emirate. 
However, the traffic police here have issued 10,146 tickets against erring drivers and impounded 314 vehicles for flouting traffic rules as part of a two-month inspection drive which ended on October 27. 
Col Ali Saeed Al Alkeem, director of traffic and patrols department with RAK police, said all the traffic centres across the emirate are all set to process the transactions in a short time. 
"Drivers, with pending fines and expired registration cards will have a good chance to pay less money, and be eligible for registration card renewal." 
The two-month discount, effective from Tuesday, November 01 to Saturday, December 31, has been integrated in the unified federal traffic system across the country, he added. "But this scheme is only applicable to the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah." 
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Major General Ali Abdullah bin Alwan Al Nuaimi, Commander-in-Chief of the RAK Police, earlier said the scheme is in commemoration of the 45^th UAE National Day. 
"It is meant to bring happiness to the public, ease their financial burdens, help them renew their registration cards, and give them a chance to better observe traffic regulations." 
The 50 percent discount is effective on the traffic violations committed before December 31, 2014, he explained. "The drop spans all traffic violations, all number plates, and even vehicle impoundment allowance, across the emirate."   
The traffic violations - mostly speeding, radar-registered as of January 01, 2015, will however be cut as per the new system put in place by the end of last year, whereby "drivers have been given an option to pay less for your traffic fines, when they pay earlier." 
10,146 tickets in two months
The traffic and patrols department of the RAK police had, however, issued 10,146 tickets against erring drivers in two months as part of an intensive campaign which started on September 04. 
"Up to 314 vehicles were impounded for flouting traffic rules, 51 were fined for driving without license, and eight motorbikers were issued tickets as well while 740 motorists were given advice." 
Pay traffic fines early and avail up to 50% discount
Some of the drivers fined proved to have exceeded the permitted tinting limit, he added. "Some others were driving with expired registration cards while others were not buckling up, ignoring safety space, speeding, and failing to abide by lane." 
The traffic campaign, themed 'commitment', is one a series which are meant detect and control the traffic violations and handle them on the spot or thereafter, he added. "Raising and developing traffic awareness is of great importance as well." 
Major Salem Burqiba, who led the campaign, said it covered all the roads and highways of the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah. "The inspection campaign has helped boost traffic safety and security, and develop an accident-free society."
ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com