Motorists need to drive carefully on Dubai roads as accidents caused by heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) in Dubai have increased significantly since the start of this year. Dubai police has initiated a campaign to bring the number of road accidents caused by heavy vehicles down after incidents of road indiscipline by HGV drivers have increased alarmingly. More than 30,000 fines have been issued to HGV drivers for not abiding by road safety rules in the first six months of 2017.
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Details of the Traffic Fines Issued
The recent rise in traffic violations committed by HGV drivers has added to the worries of traffic authorities in Dubai. The probability of fatal road accidents increases considerably if the drivers of heavy vehicles don’t follow road safety rules.
The statistics of traffic fines issued against HGV drivers are even more striking if we compare this year’s traffic fines to the fines issued in 2016 and 2015. While 30,785 fines were issued to HGV drivers in 2016 and 24,255 in 2015, the first six months of 2017 alone have recorded 30,664 traffic fines. There is a noticeable increase in traffic violations committed by drivers of HGVs in the last two and a half years which has clearly made Dubai roads more vulnerable to accidents.
Why Motorists need to be Extra Careful While Driving?
As Dubai police has initiated a campaign to reduce the number of violations committed by the HGV drivers, safety on Dubai roads is expected to improve with time. However, it is important for motorists to be careful while driving and should maintain a safe distance from heavy vehicles.
Whenever possible, motorists should avoid driving in the same lane as heavy goods vehicles in order to ensure that they remain safe in case an HGV collapses or to avoid being caught in a collision between multiple heavy vehicles.
Fifteen deaths have been recorded in the 14 incidents involving heavy vehicles so far in 2017. In 2015, 25 heavy vehicle crashes resulted in 29 deaths, whereas the number increased to 49 fatalities in 2016 in 40 accidents. These numbers clearly highlight the increased probability of fatalities whenever an HGV is involved in an accident, which is why it is important for motorists to remain watchful of the heavy vehicles when they drive on the roads of Dubai.
Also read: Run-over Accidents Decrease in Dubai during the First Quarter of 2017
Major Reasons Behind Accidents Involving Heavy Vehicles
Heavy vehicles need to be well-maintained in order to carry goods from one place to another safely. Any negligence in following good maintenance practices or deviance from road safety protocols can result in deadly consequences.
Listed below are a few reasons behind major road accidents involving heavy goods vehicles:
- Inattentive driving has been one of the primary reasons for fatal road accidents involving HGVs. Drivers of the heavy vehicles who were fined drove for long hours without adequate rest. This increased their fatigue levels and they could not maintain sufficient attention while driving.
- Most of the heavy goods vehicles did not meet the maintenance protocols set by the authorities. The tyres of these vehicles were old and weak, which was a major road safety threat.
- HGV drivers were also fined for violating traffic rules and road discipline.
How the New Campaign Aims to Improve the Road Safety Situation?
The new campaign launched by Dubai Police aims to reduce the number of HGV-related accidents in the city. Dubai Police will educate the HGV drivers through multiple sessions to raise awareness about the importance of traffic safety principles. HGV drivers will also be informed about the new fines for different traffic violations according to the newly amended traffic law. The campaign will focus on its objectives in three phases in order to restore safety on the roads.
- In the first phase, the information based traffic safety sessions will be conducted with HGV drivers in the rest areas of Al Muhaisnah, Al Khawaneej and around the vegetable market.
- In the second phase, this campaign will be continued at the RTA registration centres.
- In the third phase, hefty traffic fines will be issued to drivers committing traffic violations.
According to the newly amended traffic law, there is a fine of AED 1,500 for HGV drivers violating lane discipline. A fine of AED 1,000 for driving a heavy vehicle in a prohibited area will be issued to offenders. The HGV drivers can also be fined AED 5,000 if they park their vehicles in areas where parking of heavy vehicles is not allowed. Until the discipline of HGV drivers and statistics about HGV-related accidents improve, it will be wise for the UAE motorists to stay alert and focused when driving near an HGV.
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