“Injuries resulting from motorcycle accidents are 35 times more likely to occur than injuries resulting from car accidents. Drivers who do not wear helmets are four times more likely to be exposed to skull fractures compared to those who wear it,” commented Brigadier Eng. Hussein Ahmed Al Harthi, Director of Traffic and Patrol Directorate. He confirmed the tightening of control over all-terrain vehicle (ATV) drivers to ensure their commitment to public safety and traffic regulations.
He stated that motorcycles will be confiscated in case of driving without a license plate, or in case of reckless driving, while ATVs will be confiscated if seen in operation on public roads and residential neighborhoods. The law imposed sanctions against the drivers who do not wear helmets while driving motorcycles by registering four traffic black points against them.
Brigadier Al Harthi urged citizens and residents to not hesitate to call the "Aman" service to report any case of nuisance due to motorcycles being driven in residential neighborhoods by calling the the toll free number 8002626, or by sending mails or text messages.
Two people were killed and ten others wounded with serious injuries as a result of 65 motorcycles accidents in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi in nine months this year, while the total number of violations reached 1,327 during the same period.
These violations were classified as follows: 337 violations due to exceeding speed limits, 42 for driving against the flow of traffic, 16 for driving motorcycles that cause excessive noise, 95 violations for not wearing helmets, and 42 violations for the absence of the red tag in the rear of the motorcycle. Driving in prohibited places resulted in 117 violations, compared to 67 violations for non-compliance to the traffic signs and instructions, and 11 violations for not giving priority to pedestrians.
Al Harthi attributed the reasons of motorcycle accidents to sudden lane drifting, neglect, lack of attention, and excessive speed without taking into consideration the road conditions, the lack of commitment to the road lines, and for not leaving enough distance between vehicles, and entering a main road without ensuring that the road was clear from traffic and safe to do so.
He also called on motorcycle drivers to abide by the traffic law and not to drive with recklessness and excessive speed for their own safety and the safety of other road users.
He stressed that the directorate makes concerted efforts to avoid such accidents through its awareness campaigns aiming to reduce traffic accidents and its repercussions and promote traffic awareness, especially for the youth as they are the most vulnerable to traffic accidents.
The Director of Traffic and Patrol Directorate urged motorcycle users to commit to safety procedures to prevent injuries resulting from accidents, which increase by 35 times compared to those caused by car accidents, advising them to wear helmets and clothes specifically for motorcycle driving, and to ensure the safety of their motorcycles including the proper working condition of the front and rear lights and tires. He also urged motorists to have a first-aid kit and reflective stickers.
He explained that drivers who do not use helmets are four times more likely to suffer a skull fracture than the drivers who wear it.
He warned the individuals against the danger of driving unlicensed motorcycles; he attributed this danger to the lack of safety and security requirements of motorcycles and ATVs that are used in off-road excursions and desert driving making them prone to accidents more than the licensed motorcycles.
He called on parents to maintain the safety of their childre