Abu Dhabi Police record 19,000 tailgating offences in first half of the year

The force issued a warning to road users over the dangers of failing to keep a safe distance

Abu Dhabi Police recorded more than 19,000 tailgating offences in the first six months of 2021. Courtesy Abu Dhabi Police

Abu Dhabi Police sent out a safety warning to the public after recording nearly 20,000 tailgating offences in the first half of the year.

The force warned those who cause road accidents by failing to maintain a safe distance with other vehicles face having their vehicle seized for up to three months and would have to pay a Dh5,000 impound fee to have it released.

Anyone caught tailgating will incur a fine of Dh400 and have four points placed on their licence.

Police said tailgating is one of the leading causes of accidents in the capital.

In a statement posted on social media, traffic police called on all motorists to respect the rules of the road and other drivers.

They said 19,327 tailgating offences were reported from the start of the year up until the end of June.

They highlighted the dangers of driving too close to other vehicles, particularly in hazardous weather conditions such as heavy rain and fog.

Abu Dhabi Police regularly post footage of motorists causing accidents by flouting traffic regulations on social media in a bid to raise awareness of the serious consequences of reckless driving.

Sensors to catch tailgaters were activated across Abu Dhabi in January last year.

Police said a text-message warning would be sent to drivers for tailgating the first time. Any subsequent offence would incur a fine and four black points on the motorist's licence.

Officers called on drivers to leave at least two seconds between the car in front during good weather to reduce the risk of accidents if traffic suddenly slows.

If the road is unpaved, weather is poor, or the vehicle in front is a lorry, more than two seconds should be left between vehicles, police said.

“Statistics during the past years show that failing to leave sufficient safe distance is one of three main causes of accidents,” Brig Salem Al Dhaheri, Deputy Director of Abu Dhabi Police Traffic Department, previously said.

“Not leaving enough distance can also be the fault of the driver who did not clear the way for the person coming from the back or from the left.”