Latest news with #roadUsers
The National
08-07-2025
- The National
Dubai Police release video of driver fined Dh50,000 for high-speed overtaking on hard shoulder
have released footage of a man driving at high speed in the hard shoulder past a queue of cars stuck in standstill traffic. The video, filmed at an unspecified location in the emirate, was shared to emphasise the importance of adhering to road safety laws. The man was arrested after the clip was circulated online, the force said. A fine of Dh50,000 ($13,610) was imposed and the vehicle impounded. Maj Gen Saif Muhair Al Mazrouei, acting assistant commander-in-chief for operations at Dubai Police, said the driver, who was of Asian nationality, had endangered his own life as well as the lives of other road users. 'His dangerous behaviour is against the law and [shows a] disregard human lives,' Maj Gen Al Mazrouei said. More than 80 per cent of accidents on Dubai's roads are caused by dangerous driving, he added. He urged motorists to report reckless behaviour on the roads by calling 901 or using the Police Eye app. "Dubai Police will continue deploying latest technologies and smart systems to catch the violators and monitor the roads around the clock," he said. "We will continue our awareness campaigns. The law will strictly be implemented against anyone violating road safety rules.' Speeding and signal violations Exceeding the maximum speed limit by more than 60kph will lead to a fine of Dh2,000 and 12 black points on one's driving licence, as well as the vehicle being confiscated for 30 days. Lesser speeding offences also carry penalties, reflecting the importance of adhering to set limits. Speeding by no more than 30kph over the maximum limit results in a Dh300 fine and no black points. Drivers and motorcyclists who run through red lights risk a fine of Dh1,000 and 12 black points, while heavy vehicle drivers can be fined Dh3,000, with their licence suspended for a year, for the same offence. What are black points? Black points are penalties given to drivers for serious breaches of road regulations. The number of points given depends on the offence. If a driver receives 24 black points within the space of 12 months, their licence is suspended. The length of the suspension is based on the severity of the rule breaches. There are 143 federal traffic laws listed on the Dubai Police website, with varying penalties including fines, black points, vehicle confiscation and licence suspension. They apply to all emirates. If your vehicle is impounded, a fee must be paid for its release. This penalty can reach up to Dh100,000, depending on the offence. Road accidents on the rise It comes as traffic accidents in the UAE increased by 8 per cent last year, with 4,748 recorded across the country, compared to 4,391 in 2023, figures from the Ministry of Interior show. Thomas Edelmann, founder of Road Safety UAE, said the increasing number of crashes is linked to population growth, more drivers and heavier traffic congestion. Mr Edelmann also drew attention to poor road etiquette and said indicators are often not used when drivers change direction. He said education on proper signalling is needed. 'Earlier studies by Road Safety UAE showed that indicators are only used in about 50 per cent of manoeuvres and even less among younger drivers,' he said. 'It is the law to always use indicators to signal intent. Without this communication, the safety of the driver and others is compromised.'
ABC News
05-07-2025
- ABC News
WA road toll hits decade high as five people killed in 24 hours
Five people have died in 24 hours in separate crashes on WA roads, as the state's road toll sits at its highest year-to-date level in a decade. WARNING: This article contains images some readers may find distressing. WA Road Safety Commissioner Adrian Warner and WA Police Road Policing Commander Mike Peters both expressed their frustration over the rising death toll, as they urged all road users to take responsibility for their actions. "It's a reminder to everybody at the start of school holidays that we just need to take more care," Commissioner Warner said. "We need to be conscious about the risks on the road. We need to be conscious about the choices we make when we get behind the wheel. The cluster of fatalities began about 3pm on Thursday when a 70-year-old man was killed when the motorcycle he was riding collided with a tow truck at an intersection in Australind, in Western Australia's South West. Just before 6am on Friday, a 40-year-old man was killed when the car he was driving collided with a truck towing three tailers in Mariginiup, an outer northern suburb of Perth. About half an hour later, about 6:35am on Friday, a car struck a 51-year-old pedestrian in the eastern Perth suburb of Mundaring. The man died at the scene. Four hours later in Serpentine, south-east of Perth, a male driver was killed when a 4WD struck a tree and caught alight. Another four hours later, about 2:30pm, a 64-year-old woman who was a passenger in a car that struck a tree in the southern Perth suburb of Alfred Cove was taken to hospital for her injuries. She later died in hospital. At this time last year, there had been 93 deaths on WA's roads, compared to 103 this year — the highest figure in at least a decade. But that figure will rise once the Road Safety Commission receives the police reports from the most recent fatalities over the weekend. The WA Government has a road safety strategy, with a 2030 target of reducing the number of people killed or seriously injured by 50 to 70 per cent. When taking into account the state's growing population, estimated at around 3 per cent a year, Commissioner Warner said it meant the annual road death toll had plateaued. "Population growth and the economic growth, which is good for our community and good for WA, is putting upward pressure on the road toll," he said. "So everything we're doing — safer vehicles, constant enforcement — that's keeping a lid on it. Commander Peters said the impact of road fatalities rippled far beyond the victims. "That's five people that won't be at Christmas this year and five doors that had to be knocked on by our officers in the WA Police Force to make those absolutely tragic notifications," Commander Peters said. "I just want to reiterate speed, seatbelts, fatigue, alcohol and drugs and distraction remain to be over-represented in all these crashes. "I'm not talking about the five [recent fatalities] specifically, but road deaths to this point are over-represented with those five factors." Commander Peters also made no apology for the increased police presence over the school holiday period. "The West Australian Police are out in force this weekend, like they are every weekend, but because it's school holidays, we have a heightened level of enforcement," he said. "And I don't apologise for our officers in booze buses, in camera operations, in our highway patrols being out there and enforcing the law. I just ask the community to do your part." Since January, the WA Government has installed cameras that use AI technology to detect bad driver behaviour at more that 100 locations across Perth. The cameras, which the WA Government said are the most advanced in the country, are in a trial phase which means only cautions have been handed out so far. Fines are due to be implemented in October, which authorities hope will lead to actual changes in behaviour. "When we move into enforcement mode with these new cameras in a couple of months, we're expecting a big shift in behaviour," Commissioner Warner said. "We don't want the money. We want people to change their behaviour and save lives."
Malay Mail
10-06-2025
- Automotive
- Malay Mail
Mandatory speed limiters for heavy vehicles in the works, transport minister says after deadly UPSI student bus crash
KUALA LUMPUR, June 10 — The government is drafting a policy that includes the mandatory use of speed limiters for heavy vehicles, as part of efforts to enhance road safety. Transport Minister Anthony Loke said the policy is being thoroughly reviewed to ensure there are no loopholes or opportunities for manipulation once implemented. 'The government will not relent in strengthening road safety measures. 'We are committed to protecting road users, especially from the risks posed by reckless drivers and heavy vehicles that fail to meet safety standards,' he said in a Facebook post. His statement comes in the wake of a tragic accident yesterday that claimed the lives of 15 students from Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI). A chartered bus travelling from Jertih, Terengganu to Tanjung Malim, Perak overturned after colliding with a multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) on the East-West Highway near Tasik Banding, Gerik. The crash also left 33 others injured, including the bus driver and attendant, as well as the driver and three passengers of the Perodua Alza involved in the incident. — Bernama
BBC News
28-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Dorchester pedestrian signals works throughout summer holiday
Pedestrian signals are being modernised to improve traffic management in a Dorset signals in High East Street junction with Church Street in Dorchester have "reached the end of their maintainable life", according to Dorset authority explained they would be replaced to make the crossing safer and easier to use. Work is expected to start on 2 June and last for six weeks. The authority said signed diversions would be in place and asked people to "be prepared for some disruption". In a statement, the authority said the junction will be controlled with three-way lights and there would be road closures in place Way will be closed from 2 June until 6 June, while Friary Lane will be closed from 2 June until 17 Jon Andrews said: "Technology has advanced significantly since these signals were installed many years ago."The new signals will improve the experience for pedestrians and the smart technology will adapt to traffic conditions to keep vehicles flowing."During the works, we will be using the same temporary signals used during our recent Maumbury junction works, which served motorists and us well."As with all highways work, there will be some disruption during the improvements and we encourage all road users to allow extra time when planning their journey in this area."The authority confirmed further improvement works were planned for later in 2025 and in 2026, with details yet to be announced. You can follow BBC Dorset on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
