The Ras Al Khaimah police issued 1,600 traffic fines in one week after the new rules took effect on July 01.

Brigadier Dr. Mohammed Saeed Al Humaidi, director general of the central operations room, RAK police, on Monday said they have deployed more traffic patrols from the beginning of this month.

"All traffic departments across the nation started enforcing the new traffic amendments of the ministerial decree No 178/2017 early this month."

The RAK police have distributed thousands of brochures and ran a number of workshops to develop drivers' awareness before implementing the new rules.

"The new rules are meant to ensure road users' safety, curb down traffic violations and achieve the accident-free target."

The erring drivers were booked for not buckling up, using the phone on the steering wheel, speeding, failing to leave safety space, wrong overtaking, and taking head shoulder."

Brig. Humaidi urged all drivers to observe the traffic rules. "The RAK police warned drivers against chatting or exchanging posts on social media while driving," he said. "This poses a grave risk and was blamed for many deadly accidents."

More inspection campaigns will be launched to nab erring drivers, he warned. "Also more awareness campaigns will be run to make sure that all drivers are well aware of the new traffic amendments."

Mohamed Salem, a safety engineer, said the new rules are meant to boost traffic safety. "However, it will take drivers some time to get accustomed to the new regulations."

Eyad Abdullah, an Iraqi, said he was booked two days back for failing to buckle up all his children. "Me and my wife were sitting in the front seats and were strained, but none of my kids at the back seats was buckled up, and I was fined for that."

Sherif Al Wakeel, an Egyptian, said the new traffic rules represent a big challenge, and they need some time to get ready to it. "The new rules will hopefully curb road accidents and casualties."

Al Wakeel guessed it is still hard to observe some rules like the mandatory seat for children below 14. "My 13-year-old son is small in size, but refused to sit in a baby seat; anyway it will take some time to get accustomed to the new rules."

Meanwhile Umm Al Quwain police have distributed a big number of brochures to develop drivers' awareness about the new traffic rules.

Speaking to Khaleej Times, Col Saeed Obaid Bin Aran, director of UAQ traffic police, urged all drivers to show complete adherence to the new rules.

"The UAQ police have distributed over 2,000 booklets with the new traffic rules to drivers, mainly on the highways of the emirate."

Field studies show that all traffic accidents are blamed on drivers by 80 per cent, the vehicle by 15 per cent and the road by five per cent, he explained.

"To ignore timely renewal of vehicle registration within three months from expiry will end the impoundment of the vehicle unlike the case before when there was no limit for vehicle registration."

Source: Khaleej Times