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Dubai: There has been a marginal decrease in traffic violations and road incidents since the new amended federal traffic law came into effect on March 1, but it is still too early to judge its effect, says a top traffic official.
"Although it is too early to comment on the outcome of the new law, we have noticed the death toll has dropped to two in March 2008, compared to seven in the same month in 2007," said Salah Bu Farousha, Head of Dubai Traffic Public Prosecution.
In an exclusive interview with Gulf News, Bu Farousha talked about the pressing issues related to traffic safety and driving rules, and the impact of the new federal traffic law.
GULF NEWS: Almost one month has passed since the revised traffic law came into effect, what is the situation concerning traffic offences?
SALAH BU FAROUSHA: The newly-revised law is strict enough to rein in rash and unskilled drivers, especially those who act aggresively on the roads and display bad driving manners.
I believe it is still too early to judge this matter. We will have a comprehensive opinion on how this law has come to influence the public after a longer time period, about six months to a year.
Can you brief us on the first rulings which were passed under the updated traffic law in Dubai since March 1?
The Traffic Court of First Instance fined a 34-year-old Emirati motorist Dh20,000 for reckless and drunk driving and jumping a red light in the early hours of March 1.
A 30-year-old female flight attendant from Eastern Europe was fined Dh10,000 for driving her car under the influence of alcohol. The court also fined a 50-year-old Pakistani driver Dh10,000 who jumped a red signal when he drove his car inattentively and under the influence of alcohol.
We have appealed those rulings and asked the Court of Appeals to implement the toughest punishments applicable under the newly revised law. We will ask the court to apply the highest fine, which is Dh30,000.
A Cypriot manager was also fined Dh20,000 for reckless and drunken driving and inattentively crashing into another vehicle when he reversed. The court seized the driver's licence for periods of three to six months.
What advice would you like to give drivers regarding the implementation of the revised traffic law?
I would like to forewarn the public that we will follow negligent drivers, especially those who daydream, use mobile phones, drink and drive and those who put the lives of others in danger or damage property with their careless driving.
We call on drivers to adhere to local and federal traffic laws, otherwise, the sword of justice will punish them ... we will ask the courts to apply the toughest punishments in order to protect lives and save property, no matter what it takes.
I would like to caution motorists that we have also started to prosecute those who break traffic laws in places that were previously considered private property, such as airports, seaports, parking lots of commercial and residential buildings and, most importantly, gated communities.
What were the reasons behind revising the traffic law and was there a need for the revision in Dubai?
For three years Dubai's Traffic Public Prosecution had been calling for stricter punishments, especially as the average number of traffic accidents and violations had been increasing significantly.
Dubai is a booming hub and has a non-stop, growing economy. This leads to continuous population growth. Hence, it's expected that traffic accidents would increase as well.
The number of traffic violations increased between 20 and 30 per cent [during the past two years] in Dubai. This is a level which exceeds international standards.
One of the crucial reasons behind revising the traffic law was the unacceptable and alarming increase in the death toll. It rose surprisingly sharply in July, August and September of 2007.
During the first half of the same year, the percentage declined by 50 per cent compared to 2006. The reason why the death toll increased from the first half of 2007 to the second, was that traffic safety awareness campaigns lessened.
Our statistics showed the total number of traffic violations filed in 2006 was 4,064, which increased to 4,836 in 2007.
Reckless drivers caused 195 accidental deaths in 2006 and 213 in 2007. A total of 934 drunken drivers were prosecuted in 2006 compared to 1,042 in 2007.
Altogether 427 motorists were caught driving without a licence in 2006 compared to 622 in 2007; 304 motorists failed to stop after accidents at the scene in 2006 compared to 353 in 2007. There were 80 jaywalkers in 2006 and 170 in 2007.
Hence, these statistics and many others factors encouraged traffic authorities to revise the law and change some general conceptions about driving and traffic safety across the country.
What do you mean when you talk about traffic awareness campaigns and how does the Traffic Public Prosecution inform the public about traffic laws and regulations?
Our role is not only limited to implementing the law, punishing errant drivers and reducing accidents and casualties. It goes beyond that.
As part of our strategy, we try to reach out to and enlighten the public and seek to educate motorists about driving ethics and traffic laws through awareness campaigns, brochures, booklets, organising special lectures and seminars.
Motorists could learn more about traffic laws and regulations on the websites of Dubai courts and the Roads and Transport Authority, and in public libraries. They can also read the special booklets which are published by the Jurists Association.
For instance, we became the first government department in the region to teach a traffic course to college students (we have a special course called "Safe and Legal Driving" at Dubai Men's College).
We cooperate with different sections of society to inform people and create awareness among drivers and road users.
We also launched a special programme titled "Together Towards Legal Traffic Knowledge" which is aimed at college and secondary students. We aim to help motorists avoid committing offences, which is not only a breach of driving and traffic rules, but also an infringement of the rights of pedestrians and other drivers.
Could you elaborate on what is meant by rights of motorists?
People who sustain permanent bodily harm in traffic accidents have the legal right to claim compensation from insurance companies.
What would you say to those who apply for a driver's license?
When a person applies for a driver's licence he/she should bear in mind that a licence does not only mean he/she can drive from one point to another, but a driver has responsibilities.
He should respect and commit himself to traffic laws and regulations. Drivers should maintain excellent road manners and respect all road users.
When a motorist thinks that he/she received an undeserved fine from Dubai Traffic Police, what can be done?
The motorist can contest it. The fine will be referred to us and we will look into the reasons for the contestation and within seven days we inform the applicant of our findings. Last year we cancelled about 50 fines out of around 400. We cancelled those fines because they were unlawful, unreasonable, unsubstantiated or for other reasons.
According to our strategy, a suspect is innocent until proven guilty ... this is why we examine any contestation seriously, just like any traffic case.
What can you tell us about pedestrians who violate traffic laws?
The fine for pedestrians who cross a road outside designated areas (zebra crossings) has been increased from Dh50 to Dh200. The law says pedestrians are not allowed to cross a road with a speed limit higher than of 80km/h.
The RTA is building pedestrian bridges on such roads. In case a pedestrian is run over while crossing a road with a speed limit of more than 80km/h, we estimate the driver's speed and whether he/she was law-abiding in order to decide on who was liable for the accident.
On roads with speed limits of less than 80km/h, we examine whether the pedestrian used the designated crossing area to decide on the liability.
What about drivers who use mobile phones or any other means of distraction?
Drivers should not to use mobile phones while driving. Cellular phones have proven to be an essential factor in causing accidents, and this is why the punishment has been stiffened to four traffic points (which people generally know as black points) and a Dh200 fine.
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