Abu Dhabi takes on speedsters

Abu Dhabi’s decision to end traffic fine discounts and not let allow errant drivers get away with violations is expected to bring down accidents in the emirate. Many motorists drive as they please even after months of training. They wait for fine discounts to be announced, pay up and drive off, only to flout the rules again. Many resort to risky moves and put their lives and those of others at risk. Authorities in the emirate have realised that soft measures won’t help because some drivers misuse this system. Some may think of this as a harsh measure, but with accidents rising in the first half of the year, the authorities were forced to call off the scheme. Speeding is the main cause of road accidents in the emirate. Figures show 1,837 drivers were caught zooming away at 200kmph. What’s more shocking is that 77 people died in the first three months of year after they lost control of their vehicles. This move will certainly make drivers think twice before they press the accelerator pedal. There’s no easy way out for repeat offenders with the tightening of rules, and we laud the authorities for this measure to save lives.

But they should not stop here. Traffic officials should go further to enforce the law by keeping a close watch on our roads with more cameras and police patrols. The UAE already has a rigorous driver training system, but drivers need to drive sensibly and show patience when they are behind the wheel. Small cars and pedestrians are bullied out of the way by those at the wheels of muscle cars and SUVs. Good driving is about showing respect to other road users. A black points system is in place across the emirates, but motorists should fear the law. Half measures will not suffice, and traffic fine discounts provided an escape route to those breaking the rules. Abu Dhabi has shown it will go the distance to make roads safer by 2030 when it plans to bring down traffic deaths every year to 5 per cent a year for every 100,000 people.