Dubai: Surveillance camera footage showing a driver jumping a red signal and causing a major accident was used for the first time in court yesterday.
The Traffic Public Prosecution will use camera footage in courtrooms to identify the "responsibility and liability" of reckless drivers who cause major accidents on main junctions and highways, Head of Dubai's Traffic Public Prosecution Salah Bu Farousha said yesterday.
Displaying the footage before the Chairman of Traffic Court of First Instance, Judge Jasem Mohammad Ebrahim, Bu Farousha said the Filipino driver denied jumping the red signal and being involved in a crash with a public bus near the City Centre junction.
"Two women were injured in the accident. Your honour, the motorist denied responsibility but the foot-age proves otherwise.
"The film shows that he jumped the signal and then the bus hit him. The surveillance cameras have helped us identify several reckless motorists in other incidents," Bu Farousha said.
No consideration
Accident footage will be brought as evidence against irresponsible and errant drivers who will face the toughest punishments possible [according to traffic laws] during court proceedings, explained Bu Farousha.
"This is the first step of its kind in Dubai. Earlier we used to confront the suspects with such footage during questioning. Now we will start showing footage in court. We are seeking to reach a society free of negligent drivers," the Head of Traffic Public Prosecution told Gulf News.
Explaining the content of the footage, Bu Farousha said: "Your Honour, the driver had no consideration for the red signal, then he hastily crossed it and caused the accident. "We plead the court to implement the toughest punishment applicable in such major crimes."
More than 290 victims were killed in major traffic accidents on main junctions and highways in 2006, he said.
"The government fixed some Dh200 million worth surveillance cameras to reduce accidents and the number of fatalities. Our move has come to combat reckless drivers," said Bu Farousha. "Our role is to implement the law, punish errant drivers and reduce accidents and casualties as well," Bu Farousha said.
Crash: Careless act resulted in injuring two
Records said the 29-year-old Filipino supervisor, F.L., jumped a red signal to the left side before the bus hit his vehicle. Two Filipinas were severely injured, the suspect's vehicle was completely wrecked and the bus was lightly damaged in the front.
The Traffic Public Prosecution charged F.L. with reckless driving, jumping a red signal, accidentally injuring two victims and causing public and private damages.
He admitted injuring the victims but denied jumping the red signal before the court which will issue its verdict later this month.
