Over 186,000 motorists fined in two years for using mobile phone while driving

abu dhabi — More than 186,600 motorists have been fined for using mobile phones while behind the wheel during the past two years in the UAE.

The erring drivers had been caught by traffic officers and on cameras on various roads across the UAE during 2018 and 2019, the Ministry of Interior (MoE) said. The motorists were talking or texting on phones, chatting on social media, browsing the Internet, taking pictures or shooting videos with their hand-held devices while driving, blatantly violating the traffic law.

Traffic authorities in the UAE recorded 96,894 mobile phone violations in 2019 as compared to 89,712 in 2018.

The fine for using a mobile phone while driving is Dh800 in addition to four black points.

Traffic reports have revealed that such practice has caused many horrific road accidents during the past years that resulted in deaths, serious injuries and huge damage to vehicles.

An online survey conducted last year by the MoE found out that the use of mobile phones while driving is the leading cause of distraction among motorists and leads to many serious road accidents.

Traffic authorities have urged motorists to refrain from the dangerous habit because it causes concentration lapse and could lead the vehicle to veer off its lane, which may result in accidents. People have also been told to stop taking pictures or selfies while behind the wheel because it breaks the attention of the driver and hampers their response to traffic movements, making them jump a red signal or swerving into another lane without notice.

Traffic authorities warned pedestrians against using mobile phones while crossing the roads as it could lead to distracted walking and run-over accidents.

Those who do so not only risk their lives but also of other road users because they are inattentive and often become oblivious to the traffic around them, they pointed out.