300,000 traffic violations in RAK
RAS AL KHAIMAH — The Ras Al Khaimah Police issued around 300,000 traffic tickets against erring drivers last year.
Official records show that exactly 299,172 traffic violations were registered in 2016 as compared to 236,439 in 2015, according to a top police officer here on Tuesday.
“The 26.5 per cent significant rise — which is 62,733 added traffic violations — was attributed to the new fixed and mobile radars introduced, along with the intensified inspection campaigns,” said Brigadier Dr Mohammed Saeed Al Humaidi, Director General of the central operations room, RAK Police.
Most of last year’s traffic violations were caught by the radars, an 18 per cent rise, he added. “The radar-nabbed violations amounted to 255,964 in comparison to 197,209 in 2015.”
Most of last year’s road violations were also registered in the presence of the erring driver — a 19 per cent rise, and these hit 24,820 in 2016 against 20,959 in 2015, he elaborated. “A 10 per cent drop was also reported in the death cases among Emirati nationals last year, though.”
Brig. Humaidi explained that some of the drivers fined proved to have exceeded the permitted window tint limit. “Some others were driving with expired registration cards while others were not buckling up, ignoring the safety space, speeding, and failing to abide by lane discipline.”
The RAK police has run a number of traffic campaigns to develop drivers’ awareness, he underlined. On top of these campaigns was the ‘commitment’ drive meant detect and control the traffic violations and handle them on the spot or thereafter.
The RAK police campaigns covered all the roads and highways of the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah. “The inspection campaigns helped boost traffic safety and security, and develop an accident-free society.” He urged all drivers to strictly observe traffic rules and regulations, particularly the speed limit. “All motorists need to be focused on the steering wheel, avoid poor lane change and overtaking, and keep a safety distance.”