New cameras in Dubai catch driver using two mobile phones at once

Police say the technology will help improve road safety and reduce distracted driving

New cameras have helped Dubai Police catch a driver using two mobile phones at once and another reading a newspaper while on the road.

In a video posted on their official social media channels, Dubai Police said their technology will be able to detect violations even if a vehicle’s windscreen is tinted.

The investment in new technology is aimed at enhancing road safety in Dubai, said Maj Gen Saif Al Mazrouei, acting assistant commander-in-chief for operations at Dubai Police.

The technology can catch drivers who use mobile phones, do not wear seatbelts or are distracted.

“The use of these technologies supports Dubai's objective of becoming a global leader in traffic safety and aligns with the strategic goal of reducing road accident fatalities,” said Maj Gen Al Mazrouei.

Distracted driving blamed for four-vehicle collision in Sharjah

Six people were injured when a speeding car crashed into three other vehicles on Emirates Road in Sharjah on Friday afternoon.

The driver failed to notice the build-up in traffic and caused the four-car collision, said Abdullah Al-Munazari, head of the traffic and patrol department at Sharjah Police, blaming the crash on distracted driving and speeding.

Teams from Sharjah Police and National Ambulance were dispatched to the accident site, near Al Badiya Bridge towards Bridge No 7. Some of the injured were airlifted to hospital.

Tighter penalties for distracted driving

Distracted drivers in Dubai caught using mobile phones behind the wheel face having their vehicles seized for up to 30 days under a traffic crackdown, The National reported in October.

Previously, motorists found using mobile phones while driving could be fined Dh800 ($217) and receive four traffic points on their licence.

Road users putting other drivers at risk by swerving suddenly, tailgating or practising poor lane discipline also face stiffer penalties under the new laws.

Six people were killed in road accidents in the first eight months of last year by drivers using mobile phones behind the wheel, according to Dubai Police figures shared in October 2023. Police recorded 35,527 distracting driving offences in this period, with 50 people injured as a result.

A driver was caught reading a newspaper at the wheel in Dubai. Photo: Dubai Police

Distracted driving causes most road fatalities

According to Thomas Edelmann, managing director of Road Safety UAE, the data from the Ministry of Interior shows that distracted driving is the number one cause of death on the roads. “And within distracted driving, the use of mobile phones is a very, very big contributor,” he added.

“We have the laws in place, and we have the element of enforcement by the policemen, but there's also the enforcement by technology.

“Now you see a lot of radar installations that can not only capture our speed but can also capture the distance to the vehicle in front of us. So, if you're tailgating, you get a fine.”

Road accidents on the rise

The number of road accidents in the UAE rose by 11 per cent last year, compared to 2022.

Statistics from the Ministry of Interior released in May this year showed there were 4,391 crashes last year, up from 3,945 in 2022. These accidents resulted in 352 deaths, a slight increase from 343 in 2022.

Accidents in Abu Dhabi caused 133 deaths and 1,850 injuries in 2023, compared to 121 deaths and 2,607 injuries in Dubai.

In Sharjah, 34 people died in traffic accidents last year and 387 were injured. Ras Al Khaimah authorities recorded 30 road deaths and 326 injuries.

There were 16 road deaths in Umm Al Quwain and 63 injuries, 11 crash deaths in Ajman and 133 injuries, while Fujairah recorded seven road deaths and 202 injuries.

How e-scooters are affecting UAE road safety – in pictures

E-scooters are becoming more popular as designated lanes open up and fleets of rides for rent continue to swell in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Victor Besa / The National

Viewed as a key component of a greener future with lower carbon emissions, the electric-powered scooters have become a familiar sight in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

The value of the global e-scooter market is expected to double from $15.22 billion in 2021 to $31.04 billion by 2028. EPA

Dubai Police have confiscated 640 bicycles and electric scooters whose riders were found breaching traffic laws and endangering lives. These were seized in 13 days in a traffic campaign this month. Photo: Dubai Police

A substantial network of dedicated lanes for e-scooters and bikes aims to connect more residential areas with public transport, to encourage residents to leave cars at home. Victor Besa / The National