Reckless drivers face jail
DUBAI — UAE traffic authorities are considering immediate imprisonment for reckless drivers, according to Major-General Mohamed Saif Al Zafeen, head of the Federal Traffic Council and assistant commander-in-chief of Dubai Police for Operations.
According to Maj-Gen Al Zafeen, the Federal Traffic Council has proposed imprisoning reckless drivers from one hour to one day before taking further action or referring them to traffic prosecution.
Additionally, the council has recommended an urgent federal penalty for a number of ‘dangerous minor traffic violations’ such as sudden swerving, excessive speeding, or failing to keep adequate distance between vehicles.
A total of 22 cases were referred to the court in the first quarter of this year for endangering people’s lives, all of whom where charged according to the UAE Penal Code, and not the traffic law, based on the assessments of prosecutors.
DUBAI — Immediate imprisonment for reckless driving is under consideration of UAE traffic authorities, according to a top official.
Major-General Mohamed Saif Al Zafeen, head of the Federal Traffic Council and assistant commanderin-chief of the Dubai Police for Operations, said the motorists who commit even minor traffic violations will face criminal charges, if the offence amounts to endangering lives of other road users.
He said that the Federal Traffic Council recommended application of an urgent federal penalty for a series of ‘dangerous minor traffic violations’, including not leaving enough distance between vehicles, sudden swerving, excessive speed or driving at a speed of 200kmph, before referring them to the prosecution.
According to him, the council proposed immediate imprisonment of reckless drivers, ranging from one hour to a day, before taking a subsequent action of referring the violator to the traffic prosecution.
Salah Bu Farousha Al Falasi, head of the Dubai Traffic Prosecution, said that even these ordinary offences listed in the UAE Traffic Law may end up as a criminal offence, as such violations could also endanger lives of other road users as well as the motorist.
He added that not leaving enough space between vehicles often leads to an accident. Taking into consideration these offences, he said that the public prosecution is keen to apply the UAE Penal Code to such reckless drivers provided it was proven they had endangered the lives of others.
He said that 22 cases were referred to the court for endangering people’s lives in the first quarter of this year and they were charged according to the UAE Penal Code and not the traffic law.
“The prosecutor assesses the nature of the offence based on the testimony of witness, videotapes or pictures — captured by the cameras in place — to see whether the penal code can be applied on the violator. If there is no harm occurred from the violation, the prosecution demands a prison or fine, that can be reached up to Dh30,000 in some cases, in addition to the suspension of the driver’s licence for varying periods,” he added.
Besides, the prosecution can also appeal to a higher court and seek stricter penalty if it finds the offence committed by the driver demands more punishment. As per the UAE Penal Code, detention shall be mandatory, and the person can be imprisoned up to three years, depending on the extent of the damage, which will be assessed by the court, in addition to the suspension of driving licences for varying periods.