MOI launches drive on safety for e-scooter riders
ABU DHABI: The Ministry of Interior, represented by the Federal Traffic Council, launched the Second Unified Awareness Campaign across the UAE titled ‘’Traffic Safety for e-scooter users’’, as part of a series of campaigns and activities made by the Council to ensure the highest levels of safety for road users.
The Council also aims to reduce traffic accidents and realise the target of national indicators and the Ministry of Interior’s strategic objectives in making roads more secure and to enhance safety and civil protection.
The campaign calls for the use of electric bicycle “scooters” in the paths designated for their practice, with mandatory wearing of helmets, knee bumpers and reflective clothing (phosphorescent), especially while driving at night, and adherence to safety instructions, prevention requirements and regulations for such vehicles in the emirates of the country.
Major General Mohammed Saif Al Zafeen, Assistant Commander-in-chief for Operations, and Chairman of the Federal Traffic Council, said, ‘’In our campaigns, we are keen to enhance awareness for all road users, including this category of electric bike users.”
He added that in the interest of their safety of people, the ministry send awareness messages through the campaign along with Field work by the police patrols to ensure that the users of these bikes adhere to traffic instructions and laws and respect the road and its users.
Al-zafin directed electric bike users to follow the guidelines for traffic safety, including wearing a helmet while driving, to avoid crowding and to stop in a way that does not disrupt the road.
He emphasised their adhering to the path for electric bikes.
Al-zafin also pointed out that the campaign was launched in coordination with traffic and patrol departments in the country, and safety authorities in the public and private sectors, with the aim of reaching the largest segment of society, by broadcasting awareness messages in three different languages, Arabic, English and Urdu (Hindi) through social media, along with lectures and awareness workshops throughout the country.
Recently, Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) announced that the use of electric scooters on the safe streets specified by RTA requires a traffic permit that can be obtained through an electronic plaform launched by RTA on its website that allows the public to obtain free permits, which qualify them to use this type of flexible transportation in the areas and streets that it has specified. The electronic plaform will be ready to operate and available to the public starting from the 28th of April.