Not so fast: Drivers hit with speeding fines blame faulty camera

RAK traffic police launch investigation after drivers say they were flashed by camera while travelling within speed limit

RAK traffic police have launched an investigation after motorists complained they were flashed by speed cameras – despite travelling as much as 40kph below the road limit.

A number of motorists contacted officers after claiming they were caught by the mobile radar on Al Wakalat Street in the emirate, while travelling well within the set speed limit of 120kph.

Lieutenant Colonel Ahmad Al Naqbi said fines issued to the drivers will be cancelled if it is found they were wrongly recorded.

He said many drivers protesting over the violations said they were travelling at only 80kph at the time.

The camera is set to record violations at 121kph.

“The matter created a confusion, mainly among drivers from outside the emirate,” said Lt Col Al Naqbi.

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He said the complaints were all in relation to one radar on the street, opposite Adnoc petrol station in the direction towards Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Roundabout in RAK.

“It's a daily procedure at the traffic department to review all radar violations to ensure their validity and if there are ever any mistaken violations recorded, the department cancels them without even waiting for a complaint from drivers.”

The Lt Col said that drivers do not always pay attention to signboards notifying them of speed limits on routes, which is led to some mistakenly believing they are not exceeding speed limits.

“Warning signs about speed limits and the presence of radars are available on roads. We do not install any radar device, whether fixed, mobile or sniper, without installing sign boards on the same roads where the radars are located, warning drivers," he said.

The number of the complaints was not revealed.