Using phone while driving? Your car can be seized

A vast majority of Khaleej Times readers are calling for tougher penalties against drivers caught using their mobile phones while behind the wheel.
At the moment, the penalty for using a mobile phone while driving is Dh200, in addition to four black points. A proposal submitted by the Federal Traffic Council to the Ministry of Interior earlier this year, however, recommended raising the penalty to a Dh1,000 fine and 12 black points, along with the seizure of offending vehicles.
 
Khaleej Times, on its part, supports this move.
On Facebook, KT reader Ali Khan called for people to stop using their mobiles, not for their own sake, but for the sake of those they care about.
"Your life is not yours. It's for your mother, it's for your father, for your sister, for your brother, it's for your lovely little princess daughter," he said. "Now tell me, do you want to kill them all? I know your answer: never. So, save them all and stop using your phone while driving."
Similarly, JR GO, father of a two-year-old girl, said he was concerned for his children after seeing so many motorists using their devices.
"I don't use my mobile phone while I'm behind the wheel - I just connect my hands-free device to my car. I also don't have Internet data, so that's less distraction for me," he said. "But I see a lot of people busy on their mobile while negotiating through the streets of Dubai - that's very dangerous not just for them but for others as well. As a father, I'm worried about this kind of reckless driving. I support the proposal to increase the fine."
Others, however, admitted to the dangerous practice.
"I'm driving right now, 140km per hour," one reader commented on Facebook.
Andrei Avila, a logistics manager at a Jebel Ali Free Zone company, said that he uses a mobile while behind the wheel because of his job.
"In my line of work, I cannot help but use my mobile phone from time to time while driving. I have to be on my phone almost 24/7 to keep myself updated with all the shipments we process every day," he said. "The proposed Dh1,000 fine and 12 black points will serve as a big deterrent."
Another KT reader, public relations officer Roqaia Al Ameri, said she was trying to limit her use of mobiles while driving after a few narrow escapes on the roads.
"Actually I do use my phone while driving but nowadays I'm trying to avoid using it. It's dangerous to use it while driving and many times I was about to have an accident because of the phone. I agree with increasing the fine amount."
WHAT DRIVERS HAVE TO SAY
Andrei Avila, logistics manager at a company in Jebel Ali Free Zone Authority:
In my line of work, I cannot help but use my mobile phone from time to time while driving. I have to be on my phone almost 24/7 to keep me updated with all the shipments we process every day. Of course, I'm afraid to get caught by the police so I will just probably use a hands-free device - but then again, I think is also not allowed by the police. The proposed Dh1,000 fine + 12 black points will serve as a big deterrent.
JR Go, father of two-year old daughter:
I don't use my mobile phone while I'm behind the wheel - I just connect my hands-free device to my car. I also don't have internet data so that's less distraction for me. But I see a lot of people busy on their mobile while negotiating through the streets of Dubai - that's very dangerous not just to them but to others as well. As a father, I'm worried for this kind of reckless driving. I support the proposal to increase the fine from Dh200 to Dh1,000 plus 12 black points to deter drivers from using their phones.
Shulamite Berte, real estate specialist and Zumba instructor:
If it's hands-free I think it's okay to use a phone while driving. Sometimes there are urgent calls you can afford not to answer. I honestly think the Dh1,000 fine is too much but for the sake of safety, I support it. But, if possible, I hope they will keep it at Dh200 - it's fair enough, plus 12 black points,
Roqaia Alameri, public relations officer:
Actually I do use my phone while driving but nowadays I'm trying to avoid using it. It's dangerous to use it while driving and many times I was about to have an accident because of the phone. I agree with increasing the fine amount. bernd@khaleejtimes.com