Exceeding maximum speed, using mobile phones, overtaking on the hard shoulder of the road are among the top violations in Abu Dhabi.

According to statistics released by the Abu Dhabi Police Traffic and Patrols Directorate, “more than 100,000 dangerous offences tickets have been fined during the first quarter of 2016 against motorists in the emirate of Abu Dhabi,” said Brigadier Khalifa Mohamed Al Khaiaili, Acting Deputy Director of the Traffic and Patrols Directorate.

Adding further, he said: “Exceeding maximum speed limits by more than 60 km/hr was one of the most dangerous offences tickets issued during Q1 of 2016, which account for 14% of the total dangerous offenses; using mobile phones (up to 10%); failure to fasten seat belts (up to 18%); the use of faulty worn-out tires (up to 8%)”. Brigadier Al Khaiaili also noted that these statistics include 78 violations for racing on the streets, 3616 violations for overtaking on the hard shoulder of the road, and 1495 violations for sudden swerving.

Moreover, Brigadier Al Khaiaili emphasized the directorate’s commitment to pursue its efforts aimed at reducing those  offences that result in serious traffic accidents; as part of the efforts to make roads safer and the directorate’s traffic safety plan aimed at reducing the causes of traffic accidents, and to reduce the subsequent deaths and serious injuries.

“This could be achieved by increasing awareness programs targeting drivers, intensifying control and monitoring of roads through the traffic patrols and the civil patrols affiliated to the Traffic Investigation Section, and activating air traffic control   to monitor roads through coordination with the Air Wing Department on the roads to arrest traffic law violators,” he continued.

Brigadier Al Khaiaili said: “In line with the social communication strategy, the directorate has dedicated special attention to young people, one of the largest groups of dangerous violation perpetrators, through the ongoing programs at universities and educational institutions and  awareness messages through social media in order to improve the behavior of young drivers and urge them to abide by the traffic laws.”