Umm al Qaiwain aims to remove unlicensed motorcyclists from roads

A police campaign will target unlicensed motorcyclists in Umm al Qaiwain during Ramadan. "Stay away from the roads if you are not licensed," Sultan al Shawykh, the head of the emirate's police force, warned yesterday during the launch of a month-long traffic campaign focusing on young, unlicensed motorcyclists. Mr al Shawykh said there had been 10 accidents involving motorcycles in the first half of this year and all of them involved youngsters. Two people died and three more were seriously injured.

"We have also seized up to 160 motorcycles of children in the age range of 10 to 17 years, the age range that cannot have a licence in the emirate," he said. Mr al Shawykh blamed the continued violation of traffic laws on irresponsible parents buying motorcycles for their teenage sons. "For our part, we have already ordered all motorcycle shops not to sell any to the young non-licensed boys." "Showing a licence is mandatory now for one to buy and register a motorcycle in the emirate but still parents buy and register them in their names at the same time and leave them to the teenagers," he added.

Mr al Shawykh said young motorcyclists were also causing a disturbance by riding in large groups through residential areas. He said police had chosen the holy month of Ramadan for the campaign because many youths ride their bikes during the day. Police officers, some in plain clothes, will be looking for young motorcyclists and will confiscate the lawbreakers' vehicles. @Email:[e-mail]