The Traffic and Patrols Directorate of Abu Dhabi Police warned pedestrians of the danger of writing with text messages on their mobile phones when crossing the road, which often leads to distracted walking and to run-over accidents that cause deaths and severe injuries.
Lt. Colonel Salah Abdullah Al Hemairi, Chief of the Highways Section at the Traffic and Patrols Directorate of Abu Dhabi Police, said that pedestrians who use their mobile phones while walking pose a danger to themselves and other road users, because they get too absorbed by what they are doing and tune out traffic around them. He also explained that the Abu Dhabi Police Traffic and Patrols Directorate has organized a series of comprehensive educational activities to encourage pedestrians to cross at the designated crossing zones and to put down their phones and pay attention while walking and crossing the different roads.
Lt. Colonel Al Hemairi pointed out that similar educational lectures were organized in cooperation with the Al Ain Traffic Control Branch to boost awareness of different nationalities. Guidance brochures were distributed to acquaint pedestrians with the danger of crossing at a point other than a designated crossing and the resulting deaths and serious injuries caused by such accidents.
In conclusion, Lt. Colonel Al Hemairi called upon all community segments to be cautious, to put their heads up and their smart phones or mobile phones down especially while crossing the road, and to make sure they cross at the designated crossings. He also stressed the directorate’s commitment to enhance traffic culture to prevent this dangerous and objectionable behavior.
