ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates - Monday, December 22nd 2014 [ME NewsWire]
As the New Year holiday and celebrations approach, the Traffic and Patrols Directorate at Abu Dhabi Police will be intensifying its control and surveillance of internal and external roads, particularly during the late night hours in order to curtail any violations of traffic laws and legal speed limits. Violators who show uncivilized driving behaviors such as racing, reckless driving, and other violations that endanger the safety of road users will be fined.
Brigadier Eng. Hussein Ahmed Al Harithi, Director of Traffic and Patrols Directorate warned drivers against driving under the influence of alcohol as it affects the drivers’ concentration and ability to drive as it slows reflexes when encountering unexpected situations on the road, and causes tragic road accidents that involve deaths and severe injuries.
Brigadier Eng. Al Harithi explained that alcohol or drug-related traffic accidents that occurred over the course of the past two years, from January 1st, 2013 to December 15, 2014, have amounted to 152 accidents. These accidents resulted in 9 deaths, 13 serious injuries, 76 moderate injuries, and 121 minor injuries. The number of traffic violations issued during the same period has amounted to 1580 violations.
He also stressed the need for drivers to remain clear-headed in order to maintain their focus on the road. Additionally, he warned against taking certain medications such as painkillers or sedatives or any other psychotropic substances when driving: “Such chemicals tend to reduce drivers’ ability to gauge the distance between the vehicle and what lies ahead, which increases the chances of misjudgment and poses a threat to others on the road,” he continued.
Adding further, Brigadier Eng. Al Harithi pointed to the extensive efforts reflected in the Abu Dhabi Police Traffic and Patrols Directorate’s ‘Together’ program to reduce traffic accidents, and the traffic awareness lectures that promote traffic culture among all society segments, especially among the younger generations. To this end, the Abu Dhabi Police Traffic and Patrols Directorate endeavors to conduct traffic awareness lectures and exhibitions at the various universities across the UAE, in support of the efforts made by the Ministry of Interior to protect the youth against potential dangers.
Brigadier Eng. Al Harithi called upon parents to monitor their children’s behavior in order to protect them against the dangers of peer pressure and to help them maintain their safety and avoid legal accountability. He also stressed the need to avoid driving after taking medications that may cause drowsiness, and discouraged individuals who suffer psychological problems that impede their ability to concentrate to refrain from driving.
In conclusion, Brigadier Eng. Al Harithi commended the attention dedicated by the Ministry of Interior to traffic safety, by enacting related legislations and exerting considerable efforts to curb irresponsible behavior of motorists who drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs, because such objectionable behavior has negative impacts on road safety, health, society, and the economy.
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The Arabic-language text of this announcement is the official, authoritative version. Translations are provided as an accommodation only, and should be cross-referenced with the Arabic-language text, which is the only version of the text intended to have legal effect.
Contacts
The UAE Minister of Interior's General Secretariat, Tactical Affairs and Security Media Department
Abu Dhabi Police GHQ - Security Media
Chris Cron +971-(0)-50-987-1317
E-mail: cron.media@hotmail.com
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