Speed violations on Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed and Emirates roads increased by 150 per cent on the first day since the speed limits on their Dubai stretches were cut from 120kph to 110kph and by more than 250 per cent on day two, police said on Tuesday.
Dubai traffic police said there were more than 1,000 drivers caught speeding on Sunday and more than 1,400 on Monday, when normally there are no more than 400 per day.
"A total of 1,018 radar violations were committed on the first day, 679 offences on Mohammed bin Zayed Road and 339 others on Emirates Road," said Brigadier Saif Al Mazrouei, director of Dubai traffic police.
"And some 1,424 radar fines were issued on Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road, while there were 924 fines on Emirates Road on the second day.”
The speed limit on both the E311 and the E611 in Dubai were reduced from midnight on Sunday, meaning that the buffer limit before a speed camera flashes was reduced from 140kph to 130kph.
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“A large number of motorists who were issued fines for violating the reduced speed limits approached the department claiming that they were not aware of the reduction on the two roads,” said Brigadier Al Mazrouei.
“Among these offenders was a highly educated Arab man working in Abu Dhabi who committed five violations as he was driving according to the previous speed limits.
“Those who still drive at the same speed limit as before the recent reduction do not follow news by media or social media platforms and they do not pay attention to signboards on the road. This is a negative attitude and they should be held responsible for it.”
Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority carried out awareness campaigns via its social media platforms and local newspapers, he added, to educate motorists about the speed reduction on the roads.
"The reduction of speed limits is based on an in-depth study that was conducted by RTA and Dubai Police to determine indicators of traffic accidents on the two roads," Brigadier Saif Al Mazrouei said.
He added that the RTA and Dubai Police are implementing several measures to maintain the safety of road users and that the decision to cut speed limits aims to curb traffic accidents and enhance safety for road users.
