Expanded Traffic Regulations in UAE Target to Reduce Road Violations; Experts Advocate for Sanctions Beyond Fines Alone
The UAE has announced a new road safety strategy aimed at reducing accidents and improving road safety across the country. The strategy, detailed in a Khaleej Times article, includes a variety of initiatives designed to address the root causes of dangerous driving behaviors.
Phil Clarke, director of road safety and enforcement at 4E Road Safety and Transport Consultants, emphasizes the importance of ongoing education and awareness campaigns. "While severe penalties may have an immediate effect, they will not be enough if drivers perceive the risk of being caught as low," he states.
The strategy includes the Ministry of Interior’s ‘Accident-Free Day’ pledge, which incentivizes drivers to commit to safe driving by offering to deduct four black points from their traffic records for maintaining violation-free driving on a specified day. This campaign targets raising awareness around traffic laws—especially in sensitive areas like school zones—and fostering responsible driving behavior to create safer road environments across the UAE.
Dr. Mustafa Aldah, an Emirati road safety expert, notes that the UAE still performs better than many other countries in terms of road fatalities. However, he supports the government’s decision to impose heavy fines for reckless driving but stresses that more must be done to change driver behavior on a cultural level.
Technology plays a significant role in enhancing road safety, with modern security cameras and radars now capable of detecting mobile phone use behind the wheel. The new law, Federal Decree-Law No. 14 of 2024, introduces severe penalties for jaywalking, driving under the influence, driving with a suspended or unrecognised license, and causing death due to negligence. Causing fatalities due to negligence will result in fines of at least Dh50,000, with higher penalties for offenses involving alcohol, drugs, or other aggravating circumstances.
Improving infrastructure for pedestrians and cyclists is crucial for reducing road accidents. Thomas Edelmann, founder of RoadSafetyUAE, emphasizes the importance of fostering a culture of safety that involves all road users. He highlights the need for better infrastructure to improve pedestrian safety, such as dedicated lanes, improved crossings, and converting existing walkways into multi-use paths. These advancements are expected to reduce violations like distracted driving, which continues to be a major contributor to road accidents.
Experts addressing the root causes of dangerous driving behaviors emphasize the driver’s responsibility not only for their conduct but also for passenger safety, such as ensuring all occupants wear seat belts. For example, Thomas Edelmann, a road safety expert, stresses that drivers must actively enforce safety among passengers since drivers bear legal accountability for traffic violations committed by their passengers.
In addition to these measures, the strategy also includes the deployment of AI-powered vehicles for precise road maintenance to prevent accidents caused by poor road conditions. This comprehensive approach combines behavioral incentives, legal responsibility, awareness, enforcement, and technological innovations to effectively reduce road accidents in the UAE.
References: [1] Khaleej Times. (n.d.). UAE's new road safety strategy: The key components. Retrieved from https://www.khaleejtimes.com/drive/uaes-new-road-safety-strategy-the-key-components [3] RoadSafetyUAE. (n.d.). The importance of infrastructure for pedestrian and cyclist safety. Retrieved from https://www.roadsafetyuae.com/blog/the-importance-of-infrastructure-for-pedestrian-and-cyclist-safety [5] Khaleej Times. (n.d.). Expert opinions: Addressing the root causes of dangerous driving behaviors. Retrieved from https://www.khaleejtimes.com/drive/expert-opinions-addressing-the-root-causes-of-dangerous-driving-behaviors
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