ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates - Wednesday, December 9th 2015 [ME NewsWire]

The Traffic and Patrols Directorate at the Abu Dhabi Police have confirmed that traffic in the capital during the National Day celebrations has significantly improved when compared to the previous years. The Directorate cited the absence of traffic jams as one of the improvements, particularly near areas with major events.

According to the Directorate, such significant improvements are mainly due to the fruitful cooperation and response by the members of the public who complied with the instructions issued in this regard. This is also the result of the intensive awareness campaigns carried out by the police entities held in collaboration with other government agencies ahead of the National Day celebrations; and the deployment of patrols through the streets of the capital and the gathering points for the main celebrations. Moreover, the main vehicle parade was organized at Yas Island, which also contributed towards reducing the number of vehicle processions throughout the city.

Statistics issued by the Directorate of Traffic and Patrols revealed that a total of 427 vehicles were impounded for not complying with the decoration guidelines or the applicable traffic laws. Offending motorists were also fined AED 1,000, with 12 black points added to their traffic record. Offences included instances of breaking the car decoration rules, driving recklessly or in a manner that endangers the public, and of violating traffic laws and regulations.

Brigadier Eng. Hussein Ahmed Al Harithi, Director of Traffic and Patrols Directorate at Abu Dhabi Police, emphasized that the police departments will never compromise when it comes to implementing the law, as it is has been put in place to protect the community and properties; and to provide a safe environment for all, especially during major celebrations, events and activities organized in the nation. "Breaking the law is a violation in which perpetrators must be punished,” he said.

Additionally, he pointed out that the offending drivers whose vehicles were impounded, had violated the car decoration guidelines and traffic laws; and completely disregarded the extensive and comprehensive outreach campaign carried out by the Directorate through various media channels in a bid to raise awareness. “As part of the campaign, awareness publications were distributed and lectures were organized in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and the Western Region so as to make the vehicle decoration requirements for the National Day very clear,” he said.

On the same note, the Director of Traffic and Patrols Directorate indicated that participation in national events, sports events and holidays in no way allows anyone to breach the law or disregard the violations, or adopt behaviors that are strongly rejected by the UAE community. Al Harithi urged the drivers who failed to abide by traffic law and whom vehicles were impounded to review their behavior and refrain from committing such violations again. "In cases of repeat violations of the celebration guidelines during national celebrations and sporting events, the Abu Dhabi Police will take strict measures,” he said.

Brigadier Eng. Al Harithi also highlighted the intensive efforts exerted by the Directorate through the deployment of police and traffic patrols; alongside the civil patrols of the Traffic Investigation Section and the presence of officers and personnel on the ground. “These steps were made in order to prevent any behaviors that do not comply with the slogan of the National Day celebration, as well as to arrest violators and apply the law,” he said. These ongoing campaigns resulted in impounding 427 vehicles during the outlined celebratory period, out of which 297 vehicles in Abu Dhabi were impounded, 87 vehicles in Al Ain, and 43 vehicles in the Western Region.

"Two hundred and forty-nine vehicles, 58 percent of the total vehicles that were impounded, were impounded for causing disturbances and noise,” he said. Listing other reasons for impounding the vehicles, he cited: reckless driving; driving in a manner that endangers the public; tinted windows that have surpassed the allowed shade levels; carrying more than the permitted number of people, thus posing a risk to the public and the road; using spray- by drivers and passengers; sticking any part of the body out of the vehicle; and altering the vehicle in any way.

Brigadier Eng. Al Harithi praised the high discipline demonstrated by motorists during the National Day, by respecting the car decoration guidelines, abiding by traffic laws and the instructions of traffic officers, and cooperating to ensure a smooth traffic flow. Moreover, he commended the efforts of the other entities which cooperated to organize the traffic flow and provide traffic safety for all during the official celebration held on December 2nd in Zayed Sports City.

Al Harithi also praised the efforts of the traffic officers to provide traffic safety and to implement the law in line with the slogan of the National Day celebrations. Moreover, the patrols bearing the celebration slogan were deployed on various roads to enhance awareness and public safety. "This aims to achieve the strategic priority of the Abu Dhabi Police, to make the roads safer through initiatives that are in line with the aspirations and concerns of the various segments of society in sustainable ways,” he said.

Brigadier Eng. Al Harithi called upon motorists to remove their vehicle decorations to avoid being fined - especially since the grace period expired on Sunday, 6 December.

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Abu Dhabi Police, please click HERE

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The Arabic-language text of this announcement is the official, authoritative version. Translations are provided as an accommodation only, and should be cross-referenced with the Arabic-language text, which is the only version of the text intended to have legal effect.

Contacts

The UAE Minister of Interior's General Secretariat, Tactical Affairs and Security Media Department

Abu Dhabi Police GHQ - Security Media

Chris Cron +971-(0)-50-666-4891

E-mail: cron.media@hotmail.com

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