Dubai council approves discounts on traffic fines

Discounts on traffic fines in Dubai have been approved by the Executive Council, but the timing and percentage of reduction will be announced later, a senior police officer said Sunday. Lieutenant Colonel Saif Muhair Al Mazroui, Acting Director of Dubai Police's Traffic Department, said drivers with hefty fines will benefit from the initiative provided they settle all their fines in one go and meet other conditions to be announced later. The announcement about the discount was first made by Lieutenant General Dahi Khalfan Tamim, Dubai Police Chief, through his Twitter account on Friday. Announcing the department's plan to monitor traffic during Ramadan, Lt Col Al Mazroui said the number of serious accidents in Ramadan dropped from 237 in 2009 to 171 in 2010, and minor accidents from 18,054 to 16,253. Impatience These accidents mostly result from people's impatience as they rush to have iftar especially when Ramadan falls in summer months when the day is longer and the heat makes fasting more exhausting. Accident statistics from the past two years show a daily peak in the number of accidents between 1pm and 5pm, which is the time most people head home from work. Pedestrians had their share of violations with 2,769 fines issued for jay walking (crossing at areas other than allocated pedestrian crossings). Most of these result from people's rush to end the fast at the free banquets organised near mosques and villas. In Ramadan last year there were 16 deaths, 17 severe injuries, 39 moderate injuries and 99 simple injuries compared to 16 deaths, 18 severe injuries, 75 moderate injuries and 93 simple injuries in Ramadan 2009, Lt Col Al Mazroui said. "We urge people who do not have to be on the streets around these times to stay home during the rush hours of Ramadan," he said. Dubai Police patrols will distribute iftar kits of water, dates, cookies and napkins to drivers on Emirates Road, Shaikh Zayed Road and inter-city highways and at petrol stations. Common violations When parking, avoid:     Double parking     Blocking villa or building gates     Parking on the road     Parking on pavements     Driving on pavements Pedestrians should:     Cross the road from allocated pedestrian crossings.     Avoid rushing out of mosques after prayers and pushing others.