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Weight limit regulations for heavy vehicles from Jan 1

ABU DHABI - Procedures governing the weight of heavy vehicles on roads are already in place, though the decision to impose fines of up to Dh10, 000 on violators of the 'axle weight' limit rules, included in the decision issued last month by Lieutenant-General Shaikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Interior, will be applied only from January 1, 2006, according to a senior traffic police officer.

'The ministerial decision comes in the interest of the public first and foremost as it is expected to reduce loss of human life and financial damage from accidents caused by violations of weight and load limits,' said Captain Hussain Ahmed, Head of the Road Engineering Section at Abu Dhabi Traffic and Patrols Department. The move is also expected to help preserve the life span of roads.

He said traffic cops were supervising fixed and mobile 'axle weights' testing stations around Abu Dhabi that will ensure compliance with the rules. All heavy vehicles used for goods transportation will undergo tests at these stations located in various parts of the city.

There are six such stations in Abu Dhabi — Seih Shuaib, Musafah, Mina Zayed (as well as at the entrance of warehouses), Khatum Al Shakla in Al Ain and Ghuaifat in the Western Region. Violators of permitted weight and height specifications will be fined.

The decision will be applied to all violations involving 'axle weights' committed by trucks and mechanical equipment in Abu Dhabi.

The fines range from Dh500 to Dh10,000, and the heavy vehicle in question will be seized for a month in case the violation is repeated with the imposition of a further Dh1,000.

Officials said the measures incorporated in the decree will help 'preserve the hypothetical life span of paved roads in the emirate of Abu Dhabi.'

When a violation is detected, a fine will be issued, and the driver's licence and vehicle ownership card will be seized. However, the vehicle will be allowed to proceed to it's destination.

Transportation and other companies using heavy vehicles now have ample time to rectify their position and when the decision comes into effect next year, no one will have any excuse to not obeying the rules, said Capt. Hussain.

According to the decision, the Head of the Traffic Police Section at the Traffic and Patrols Section in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain Police Directorate or Tareef Police can issue one-time special permits allowing vehicles of measurements exceeding the limits if that was necessary. The permit will be issued at a fee of Dh500, after receiving the amount of other fees and fines relevant to the vehicle in question. The decision, however, stressed that in such a case, all safety measures should be taken by the transportation company and the traffic police.

Worn-out tyres head violations

By a staff reporter

DUBAI — Violations pertaining to worn-out tyres topped the list of traffic offences with 484 such cases from a total of 971 violations reported last month by the Highways Traffic Safety Department.

Failing to abide by lane rules occupied the second place on the list of violations with a total of 68 violations while 39 accounted for driving on road shoulders, 36 for trucks failing to abide by lane rules and 13 for driving without number plate.

Lieutenant Jamal Al Banay, Director of the Department, sounded a warning to traffic officers not to tolerate any violation committed by motorists, which put other road-users at risk. He pointed out that the traffic campaign crew contributed to the reduction in number of accident figures by apprehending large number of violators.