1,345 tickets issued to National Day revellers in Dubai

Over-enthusiasm during National Day parades cost reckless drivers dearly: 99 cars were seized and 1,345 tickets were issued during the two-day holiday in Dubai, according to Dubai Police. Major General Mohammad Saif Al Zafein, Director of the Traffic Department, said reckless driving topped the list of violations and caused a lot of chaos on several roads, which prompted police to close some roads and divert traffic. Although the accidents in Dubai on December 1 and 2 did not result in fatalities, two people sustained moderate injuries and four suffered simple injuries in 14 accidents. One person was killed, two sustained serious injuries, 3 moderate and 14 simple injuries in 24 accidents during the National Day holiday in 2010. In the early hours of December 1, two young men escaped certain death when their modified car caught fire in Al Warqa (See box). Gulf News\' ‘Make it Safe\' traffic safety campaign has been highlighting the dangers of reckless driving since it was launched in October. No licences \"Drivers\' adherence to the law has increased by 30 per cent this year, yet it is not enough, and we are planning to ban all parades next year since reckless driving is costing lives,\" Maj Gen Al Zafein said. He pointed out that he stopped a woman whose children were sticking their heads out of the car windows. Of the seizures, 75 were in Bur Dubai and 24 were in Deira, while 903 traffic accident reports were received. Some drivers were caught without licences. \"Young men and women were the worst offenders. They failed to follow traffic and safety rules despite ongoing awareness campaigns and strict implementation of the law,\" Maj Gen Al Zafein said.