978 fined for Dubai tram obstruction

Use of surveillance cameras led to rise in tickets issued

DUBAI // About 1,000 pedestrians and drivers were fined within a month by police for obstructing the Dubai Tram.

That number is about a quarter of the fines issued last year.

Police said the introduction of surveillance cameras led to an increase in the number of fines issued. The cameras replaced patrol officers along the tram route.

People caught standing on the tram tracks or walking across them accounted for 785 of the offences recorded.

Last month, 978 people were fined. Last year, 3,723 people were fined.

Among those fined last month were 172 drivers who obstructed trams and 22 motorists who did not keep within their lanes. “To ensure smooth and safe movement of the tram, road users are required to observe and adhere to the signs for the safe operation of the tram,” Dubai Police said.

“Road users have to refrain from any activity that may directly or indirectly hamper the tram’s movement.”

Police said drivers should give way to trams and not enter junctions after traffic lights turned amber or red.

Authorities also asked members of the public to report traffic offences through the police hotline of 8004353.

Jumping a red light at a tram junction can lead to a Dh5,000 fine.

Pedestrians who cross from undesignated areas along the route face a Dh1,000 fine.