Thomas Edelmann, founder of Road Safety UAE, is photographed beside Sheikh Zayed Road near Internet City in Dubai. Sarah Dea/The National
Thomas Edelmann, founder of Road Safety UAE, is photographed beside Sheikh Zayed Road near Internet City in Dubai. Sarah Dea/The National

Abu Dhabi Police launch safety lessons for errant drivers



ABU DHABI // Motorists with black points on their licence are being given an opportunity to reduce them through enrolling in a safety programme.

By taking the course, eight black points will be taken off their total before they reach the 24-point limit.

Once a year they will be allowed to sign up for the traffic black points reduction programme.

The safety programme is being run in conjunction with the Emirates Driving Company. Motorists must undergo up to five lessons, which consist of theory tuition and a simulator course.

Participants are taught about safe driving and adhering to traffic rules, instilling proper driver behaviour, keeping a safe distance between vehicles and controlling the vehicle.

“Traffic points courses can change driver behaviour as they focus on case studies and students reflect on what they have learnt and how they can apply it to their own experience,” said Dino Kalivas, the International Road Federation chairman of driver education and training.

“A preliminary study on those drivers who had successfully completed the traffic points course identified a very high percentage of drivers did not repeat traffic violations.”

Thomas Edelmann, founder of the Road Safety UAE organisation, said: “In principle it is a good mechanism to offer traffic offenders a reduction in their black points balance, if the mechanism is designed to tangibly and permanently improve the level of knowledge, attitude and responsibility of traffic offenders.

“It must not be easy for offenders with a high number of black points to reduce them. It needs lectures with personal attendance and tough exams, and community service involvement to change their perspective and behaviour.”

The programme is the latest to help traffic offenders rectify their ways. Last week, Abu Dhabi Police set up a counter at its vehicle licensing department to raise awareness of the training and rehabilitation programme. Employees at the counter will answer questions and register those who are willing to take part in the course.

The aim is to improve driver behaviour, enhance traffic safety, and give drivers a chance to avoid having their licence revoked, said Lt Col Saif Obaid Al Khaili, head of the police follow-up department.

A series of lectures on traffic safety, common driving mistakes and accidents will help to rehabilitate drivers by reminding them that they risk losing their licence, said Brig Hasan Al Hosani, secretary general for Emirates Traffic Safety Society.

“Drivers do not want to accumulate traffic points as penalty and exceed the cumulative limit of 24,” he said.

“The primary reason for this programme is to change driving behaviour and build a culture of traffic safety,” he said.

rruiz@thenational.ae

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