Dh800 fine, four points for distracted driving on Abu Dhabi roads

Abu Dhabi: Abu Dhabi Police has warned that a Dh800 fine will be imposed on drivers distracted while driving, in addition to four black traffic points.

Authorities also shared a video clip of the accident due to driver inattention. The video showed a white sedan colliding with another white sedan in the far right lane of the Abu Dhabi road. A second white sedan hit the middle rail and began to spin. The vehicle appears to be completely wrecked, with the vehicle that hit it first heading into the distance.

Abu Dhabi Police said many drivers were distracted while driving as they scrolled through apps and social media platforms, or used their mobile phones to make calls or take pictures. These actions are extremely dangerous and put the lives of drivers and other road users in serious danger.

Driver inattention is also often the reason why motorists run red lights, but the penalties for this violation are much harsher, with fines and fees of Dh51,000 and the impoundment of the vehicle. Abu Dhabi police shared footage of such an accident in February.

With driver inattention causing several accidents in the emirate each year, Abu Dhabi Police launched a radar network in January 2021 to detect drivers using mobile phones on the road. Radar uses AI-powered cameras to detect high-resolution images of the driver, and police immediately warn the driver by text message against the behaviour.