24-02-2008
Strict penalties for motorists from march 1
The newly-amended federal traffic law stipulating stricter penalties will be enforced from March 1, revealed a senior traffic official.
Colonel Ghaith Hassan Al Za’abi, Director of the Traffic Department in the Ministry of Interior, said the law stipulates stringent penalties against motorists who drive under the influence of alcohol.
Article 49 of the law stipulates a fine of not less than Dh20, 000 in addition to jail term for those indulging in drunk driving, he said.
In the event of driving without a licence the driver will face a fine of not less than Dh5, 000 and prison term of up to three months. Colonel Al Za’abi added that as per the amended federal traffic law, pedestrians are not allowed to cross the road where the speed limit for motorists is 80km per hour, cautioning that pedestrians must cross the roads only at the areas designated for them.
He clarified that Article 49 states that anyone who will imitate or use the plate numbers of other cars, or even add or deduct to the plate numbers without the approval of the traffic authorities, will be fined not less than Dh20,000, in addition to imprisonment to be decided by the Traffic Department.
He said that under the law, people, who have been ordered by the court not to drive due to certain violations they had committed, are found driving, will have to pay a fine of not less than Dh5,000 or serve a three-month jail.
He said that motorists who attempt to cheat the police officers by giving false personal detail to avert punishments, will be slapped a fine ranging between Dh2,000 and Dh5,000 or three-month jail term.
Col Al Zaabi said Article 38 stipulates that vehicles have to be technically examined upon registration or renewal of registration, adding that owners have the right to submit grievances if they were not satisfied with the results of the examination within 10 days after receiving the results.
People with special needs and vehicles of the federal government and local departments, as well as vehicles of charitable institutions and vehicles used for agricultural purposes, are exempted under the amended law from licensing and registration fees, said Col Al Zaabi.
The Black Point System for monitoring traffic rules and regulations has been finalized and will be enforced after endorsement of its executive bylaws, according to a senior official.
A three- to six-month-long awareness campaign will precede the implementation of the system, said Lt-Gen. Saif Abdullah Al Shafar, Under-secretary in the Ministry of Interior.
Lt-Gen. Al Shafar said clear strategies have been chalked out in cooperation with the institutions concerned to reduce the traffic accidents and mortality rate.
He said 1,053 deaths due to road accidents were reported last year across the co
