30,402 motorists fined for using mobiles while driving in Abu Dhabi in 2017

(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) As many as 30,402 motorists were fined for using their mobile phones while driving in 2017, the Abu Dhabi Police said on its Twitter account.

Three road deaths were caused due to drivers talking over phone in Abu Dhabi last year, they revealed. In all, using phone while being at the wheel resulted in 48 traffic accidents in the emirate last year. No injuries were reported in five of these accidents, while five of them were major mishaps.

Brigadier Ali Khalfan Al Dhaheri, director of the central operations sector at the Abu Dhabi Police, called on all motorists to avoid using phones during driving their vehicles because it breaks the concentration of the driver and could lead the vehicle to veer off its lane, which could result in accidents.

Motorists found getting distracted as they talk over phone while driving would be fined Dh800 and 4 traffic points, according to number 32 of traffic law.

Al Dhaheri warned motorists from taking pictures or 'selfies' while driving because it breaks the attention of the drivers and hampers their response to traffic movements, making them jump a red signal or swerving into another lane without notice.

He also pointed out that sharing pictures of traffic accidents is forbidden by law, and it could entail imprisonment and fines.

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