Cracking Down On Phone Usage Violations While Driving
In the UAE, phone usage violations while driving, such as texting, calling, or checking messages, are against the law. It’s crucial to prioritize safe driving and avoid distractions. If you need to use your phone, stopping in a safe place first is better.Â
If you break this rule, you could get fined. But more importantly, using your phone while driving can be dangerous. It could cause accidents and hurt people. When driving in the UAE, place your phone in the carrying case and focus on the road.
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UAE Police’s Crackdown Against Using Mobile Phone While Driving
Using phones while driving is a big problem in the UAE. In 2022, distracted drivers caused 85 deaths, with one in three admitting to using phones while driving. Although most drivers know it’s dangerous, only 81% always focus on driving.
Younger drivers and expatriates are even less careful. Road safety experts say it’s crucial to pay attention while driving and suggest turning off phones.Â
The government has strict rules and fines against using phones while driving. According to UAE Police reports, many drivers still receive fines for violating phone usage. To solve this problem, the police are using mobile radars and patrols to catch offenders and make roads safer for everyone.
Dangers of Phone Use While Driving: Risks and Enforcement
Many drivers engaged in phone usage violations while driving, try to hide when they spot police officers. But the police catch them with cameras and radars.Â
Police use smart radars located at different spots like traffic junctions to find drivers talking, texting, or using social media. Since 2020, the police have had radars to find overspeeding and phone use. Authorities have told people how dangerous it is to use phones while driving.
Sadly, in the last 8 months, 6 deaths and 99 accidents occurred because of this. Police caught 35,527 violations during this time. They found many deadly accidents happened because drivers didn’t give way, swerved suddenly, followed too closely, or drove too fast, often because of phone distraction.
Everyone must stay safe by not using phones while driving, as it can have terrible consequences.
The Cost of Using Phones While Driving in the UAE
In the UAE, using your phone while driving can be dangerous and lead to big fines, known as the ‘using phone while driving fine in Dubai‘. If you’re caught, you’ll get an AED 800 fine and up to four black points on your driving record.
The police use mobile radars and cameras to catch people breaking this rule. It’s important to follow road safety rules in Abu Dhabi to avoid these fines. The government has cameras all around to spot violations, like using your phone while driving. To stay safe and steer clear of fines, keep your phone away while driving.
UAE’s High-Tech Measures and Smart Patrols
To make roads safer, the UAE has smart patrols with fancy tech. They spot rule-breakers like phone users, seatbelt slackers, and speedsters in Abu Dhabi.Â
So, if anyone violates the rule, they will get a text as a warning. Moreover, Dubai Police are adding ‘Ghiath’, a super cool car with lots of cameras and smart systems. It’s all to prevent accidents and keep roads safe.Â
Enhancing Road Safety with Advanced Radar Systems
UAE police have set up special radars to improve road safety. In Abu Dhabi, they use a system called Vehicular Attention and Safety Tracker (VAST). VAST helps catch drivers using phones or not wearing seat belts using radar and cameras. Offenders promptly receive a text message notifying them of their mistake.Â
Similarly, in Dubai, they’ve had similar radars since 2020. These radars do not catch phone users but keep an eye on lane changes and seat belt use. Therefore, if drivers are caught driving recklessly by these smart radars, they will face a fine of AED 2,000, receive 23 black points, and have their cars confiscated for 60 days.
These measures are implemented to reduce accidents and promote safer driving, addressing concerns related to using phones while driving fine in Dubai.
Traffic Officers on the Watch stopping phone use
Traffic officers are stationed along different roads in each Emirate to catch people breaking traffic rules, like using phones while driving. Authorities can issue fines right away to drivers they see using phones. The officers can be in patrol cars or their vehicles. They’re always on the lookout for drivers on their phones.Â
Even if they don’t catch offenders on the spot, they can still give fines later. It’s a big problem because distracted driving causes a lot of accidents. So, the authorities are working hard to stop it by catching and punishing those who break the rules.
List Of Factors Contributing to Distracted Driving
Road accidents are a big worry everywhere, causing a lot of harm. It’s super important to know what makes these accidents happen so we can stop them. We need to look at things like why distraction occurs while driving and what other things on the road might cause accidents.
Then, we can figure out ways to make driving safer for everyone. Here are a few factors given below:
Internal Factors Causing Distracted Driving | Percentage |
Use of mobile phones | 33% |
Navigation systems | 28% |
Hands-free phone calls | 22% |
Reaching for objects in the car | 21% |
Adjusting air conditioning | 18% |
Eating and drinking | 18% |
Passengers speaking to you | 17% |
Poorly behaved children | 17% |
Changing the radio station/entertainment system | 15% |
Lighting/smoking/extinguishing a cigarette | 14% |
Putting on make-up | 10% |
Children watching videos | 10% |
Ever felt like you’re driving safely, but then another driver’s distractions throw you off? That’s how external factors can sneak up on us, making road safety a team effort.
External Factors Contributing to Distracted Driving | Percentage |
The behavior of other drivers | 41% |
Complex road systems | 28% |
Advertising billboards | 19% |
Supercars and other specialist vehicles | 19% |
Road signs | 19% |
The UAE skyline | 17% |
Slowing down to view a traffic accident | 15% |
Following are a few result-oriented road safety measures:
Road Safety Measures | Percentage |
Speed limiters | 51% |
Presence of speed cameras | 44% |
Navigation system | 33% |
Being alone | 28% |
Listening to own music playlist | 26% |
Police presence | 26% |
Listening to radio | 26% |
Having others in the car | 23% |
Coffee or caffeinated drinks | 19% |
Proximity of reckless drivers | 17% |
Talking to a passenger | 16% |
Conclusion
All in all, using phones while driving leads to many accidents because it distracts drivers. But if you need to make an urgent call, Bluetooth can help. Just remember to use it only for emergencies. When buying a used car in the UAE, ensure it has Bluetooth.Â
Dubai Police say that not paying attention to other drivers, sudden movements, not keeping a safe distance, and speeding are the top reasons for deadly accidents. They also warn that using phones while driving is a big distraction. So, to stay safe on the road and limit phone usage while driving.