Drivers whose vehicles ran red lights on the roads caused 143 accidents nationwide last year, a decrease from 177 accidents in 2022, according to the Ministry of Interior’s statistics on traffic accidents, according to the cause of the accident.
The accidents were distributed between 43 accidents in Abu Dhabi, 89 in Dubai, three in Sharjah, three in Ajman, two accidents in Ras Al Khaimah, and three accidents in Fujairah.
Last year, traffic departments at the state level issued 86,337 violations for crossing a red light by light vehicles, distributed between 28,992 violations in Abu Dhabi, 30,810 violations in Dubai, 7,689 violations in Sharjah, 8,193 in Ajman, and 379 in Dubai. Umm Al Quwain, 6522 in Ras Al Khaimah, and 3752 violations in Fujairah.
Traffic departments in the country classify the violation of crossing a red light as one of the most serious violations on the roads, due to the fatal accidents it causes, resulting in injuries and deaths, while the Federal Traffic Law tightens the penalty for the violation of “exceeding the red light by light vehicles, as well as overtaking.” Red light signal by motorized bicycles: a fine of 1,000 dirhams, 12 points, and vehicle impoundment for 30 days.
Abu Dhabi Police applies Law No. (5) of 2020 regarding vehicle impoundment in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi for a violation of a vehicle exceeding a red light, with a fine of 1,000 dirhams, 12 traffic points, impoundment of the vehicle for 30 days, and the financial value of releasing the vehicle impoundment is 50,000 dirhams, in addition to withdrawing a driving license. The violating driver shall be impounded for a period of six months, provided that the vehicle shall be impounded until the financial value to release the impoundment is paid for a maximum period of three months. In the event of failure to pay the dues, the vehicle shall be referred for sale at public auction.
Police reports identified three reasons that lead to crossing traffic lights at intersections: lack of attention and distraction from the road using the phone and the virtual world, browsing the Internet and social networking sites, or as a result of some drivers increasing their speeds at intersections to recognize the green signal.
As part of its awareness campaigns, the Ministry of Interior warned of the danger of running a red light, and the serious accidents it leads to resulting in injuries and deaths. It tightened the penalty for crossing a red light and classified it as one of the most serious traffic violations that result in deaths and injuries, according to official statistics and reports.
Reasons for the violation
Abu Dhabi Police stressed the necessity of adhering to traffic lights at intersections, explaining the most important reasons that lead to committing this dangerous violation, which are lack of attention and distraction from the road or as a result of some drivers increasing their speeds at intersections to realize the green signal.
It warned drivers that running a red light means an accident (disaster) for road users or at least a serious accident, as a violation of crossing a red light is classified as a dangerous violation, stressing that crossing a signal is classified as a dangerous violation.
Abu Dhabi Police monitored, through road cameras, reckless behavior committed by drivers while driving on the roads, which led to horrific traffic accidents, including increasing the vehicle’s speed to catch the traffic light after it changed from green to yellow, and before it turned to red, as well as the lack of concentration of some drivers. They are preoccupied with anything other than the road, whether on the phone, browsing the Internet, or while waiting to cross the signal, which causes traffic accidents.
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