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Saturday, October 9, 2010

DUBAI, More patrols to catch reckless motorcyclists

OFF THE WIRE
http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticle08.asp?xfile=data/theuae/2010/October/theuae_October124.xml§ion=theuae More patrols to catch reckless motorcyclists Amira Agarib
6 October 2010, DUBAI — The Dubai Police will intensify patrolling on all roads to reduce accidents and keep a special watch on motorcyclists and bicycle riders riding recklessly and switching lanes in a dangerous manner.

Brigadier Mohammed Saif Al Zafin, Director of the General Department of Traffic, said on Tuesday that the department would take preventive action to reduce motorcycle accidents on highways, as even a minor collision could result in deaths due to head injuries.

Police patrols would also confiscate any motorcycle caught speeding over 80kph and the rider moving zigzag between other vehicles.

The rider will be fined for traffic obstruction and endangering others’ lives.

The campaign will also focus on pedestrian movement on highways. Police patrols will tour areas that have witnessed a large number of accidents.

Minibuses which transport labourers will also come under scrutiny. Reckless drivers will face action and the vehicles will be seized.

Owners will be asked to take action against such drivers. He urged drivers of minibuses to drive cautiously as these vehicles are unstable and are prone to accidents.

Brigadier Al Zafin said according to the traffic police records, 32 people died and 239 suffered injuries in 283 accidents in 2008, while 2009 witnessed 344 accidents in which 23 people died and 269 suffered injuries.

The Dubai Police campaigns organised on Thursdays and Fridays resulted in the arrest of 22,639 jaywalkers — 13,935 were caught in Deira and 8,404 in Bur Dubai.

He said the department is rolling out plans and making necessary arrangements based on the studies and analyses of the causes of accidents
and deaths.