Traffic cops seek laws to end ‘dangerous’ acts
DRIVING with your sunglasses on at night, putting on make-up while behind the wheel or checking yourself out in the mirror could soon land you in trouble if Dubai’s top traffic cop gets his way.
General Mohammad Saif Al Zafeen told 7DAYS he has a list of 14 road rules he would like to see become law.
He has handed that list to the Chief of Dubai Police and asked him to recommend them to the Interior Ministry.
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DRIVING with your sunglasses on at night, putting on make-up while behind the wheel or checking yourself out in the mirror could soon land you in trouble...
Included in the proposals cops believe will make our roads safer are a Dhs500 fine for anyone wearing sunglasses while driving in the dark and a Dhs1,000 penalty for people displaying “dangerous behaviour which poses a hazard to road users”.
Al Zafeen said dangerous behaviour includes women applying make-up while behind the wheel and drivers checking out their appearance in the mirror.
Al Zafeen said: “I have seen many women putting make-up on inside their cars, especially when they are going to work in the morning. It’s dangerous behaviour because they are using the mirror and not paying attention to the road. Such behaviour can cause accidents.”
He added: “It’s not just women, we have also noticed some men taking care of their appearance by looking in the mirror.
“If these changes to the laws are approved they could also be fined.
“Such behaviour is even more dangerous than eating or using a mobile phone while driving.”
In October, Al Zafeen warned women about putting make-up on behind the wheel and revealed that four female motorists had been booked for preening in 2011.
Among the other recommendations made by Dubai Traffic Police was that all passengers in a vehicle must wear seatbelts. If they don’t, the driver could be in trouble.
Al Zafeen said: “We currently only ask those in the front to wear seatbelts but we want to change this.”
Other suggestions include increasing fines for a broken brake light from Dhs100 to Dhs200 and for poor tyre maintenance from Dhs200 to Dhs500.
ali.shouk@7days.ae
Comments
by james88
Friday, August 17 2012, 11:09AM
“Driving w/ sunglasses at night? This is nothing compared to wrap around heavy tint plus sunshade/screen on the windshield while driving! And who will enforce old & new rules? ”
by dxbgal
Thursday, August 16 2012, 11:02PM
“How about those that dont wear seat belts or the ones that drive with kids in front? Or the arrogant selfish drivers that cut lanes without indicating, those that tailgate, over speed, not many people are concerned about not using the mobile while driving I have seen so many drivers still talking without a hands free set!”
by Moe
Thursday, August 16 2012, 8:59PM
“That might be an issue Gavtek but quite often people who use the mirror to look at themselves either stare at it for a very long time and/or are seen adjusting the mirror and/or using makeup. Do we not have similar rules in the western nations? Perhaps the looking in the mirror is followed by someone who veers off lane?
What's shocking is that they don't have such rules implemented already! Apparently it is not illegal to drive with sunglasses at night? Maybe these are not rules elsewhere but you can see how careless drivers are here!”
by skootch
Thursday, August 16 2012, 3:07PM
“The UAE already have many traffic laws that the police don't implement at all. What's the point of making more that no-one cares about ?”
by lady godiva
Thursday, August 16 2012, 12:37PM
“Here we go again..rules, rules and rules..@gavtek-good question”
by watchman
Thursday, August 16 2012, 9:48AM
“Ok fine - but how about enforcing the existing traffic laws properly first? Dangerous tailgating, violent swerving, overtaking on the fast lane hard shoulder still take place - sometimes in full view of traffic police. I once saw a Range Rover tailgate a police patrol and force him out of the fast lane - completely unchallenged - deal with these basic issues before launcing new 'feelgood' headlines about new laws.”
by Outtahere
Thursday, August 16 2012, 9:35AM
“Yes great make them law but if they do not enforce then what is the point, in addition make it a law that covers all social levels here and not just those that are easy to target. If the laws at present are not getting the respect they are due (talking whilst on phone - no seatbelts for kids - blatant disregard for road signage - tailgating - 100% tints etc etc) then what is the point of introducing more if there are not enough police to enforce.By the way poor tyre maintenance should mean a 5000 fine, perhaps then haulage companies etc would start to make sure their fleets tyres are not run till they burst on the SZR, what is 200 to them or 500!?...”
by Gavtek
Thursday, August 16 2012, 9:28AM
“How are they going to differentiate between looking at myself in the mirror and looking at traffic behind me in the mirror?”