Dubai police launch campaign against ‘rubbernecking’

Dubai police have launched a campaign to stop motorists from causing delays and traffic jams by slowing down to look at accidents.

The “No to bystanding and please give way” campaign aims to keep traffic flowing freely and at the same time allowing emergency services to arrive at an accident scene quickly and easily.

Colonel Jamal Mohammed Al Bannai, director of the general Traffic Directorate, said the objective is to educate pedestrians and motorists not to gather around traffic accidents as this hinders ambulances from reaching the scene to offer first aid, causes further incidents, blocks traffic, and prevents preservation of a crime scene.

Captain Abdullah bin Huwaidi, head of media awareness at the Department of Security Awareness at the Directorate General of Community Service, said the two-week campaign will target motorists through social media.

He added that a number of awareness campaigns are due to take place this year, including warning against the dangers of driving while using a mobile phone and against parking in disabled spaces without a permit.