Dubai Police seized dozens of cars and motorbikes and recorded more than 3,000 traffic offences by reckless road users during the emirate's National Day celebrations.
The force took action against motorists and riders – many of them young people – for “endangering lives” through dangerous stunts and racing. A senior officer said offenders were seeking to exploit the large-scale festivities taking place across the emirate to flout the rules.
Police said they confiscated 49 vehicles and 25 motorbikes and dealt with 3,153 traffic breaches during the National Day holidays. Many workers enjoyed a long weekend after being granted paid leave on both Monday and Tuesday in honour of the occasion.
“Some motorists try to take advantage during national celebrations or any public events to commit stunts and drive recklessly,” Brigadier Jumaa bin Suwaidan, director of traffic at Dubai Police. “They endanger the lives of other road users by stunt performance, racing and causing disturbances to people in residential areas.”
Dubai Police posted a video of motorists committing various offences on Dubai roads during the celebrations. The video showed people hanging out of car windows and sunroofs and using spray paint on each other.
Brig bin Suwaidan said police had previously warned against such behaviour, but some had ignored National Day safety directives. “We will take strict measures against them from fines to impounding the vehicles and bikes. We warned them before,” he said. “Reckless driving can cause severe accidents and damage properties.
Brig bin Suwaidan urged families to keep a close eye on teenagers and not leave them unsupervised on streets. “Families have a major role in monitoring their teenage children. Parents shouldn’t allow their children to spray the people and cars. Its unacceptable behaviour that ruins the emirate’s image.”
Police departments across the country had set out safety rules for the public to ensure the celebrations ran smoothly, with people urged to fly the flag proudly but to avoid blaring out loud music and spray painting their vehicles.
Prohibited practices were participating in parades and forming random gatherings, obstructing traffic or blocking public roads, stunt driving, leaning out of windows or sunroofs, overloading vehicles, covering windows or concealing licence plates, creating excessive noise and using spray paint on vehicles.
