Traffic authorities have launched an aggressive safety campaign as Dubai Police warns motorists against dangerous distractions behind the wheel following a serious multi-vehicle pileup.
The alert was issued on Tuesday after emergency units responded to a collision involving four passenger cars on the Dubai–Al Ain Road. Paramedics treated two people at the scene for minor injuries before tow crews cleared the damaged vehicles.
Investigators determined that the crash occurred when a driver looked down at a mobile phone, lost lane focus, and triggered a chain-reaction impact.
Phone Distraction Named Primary Hazard
Brigadier Juma Salem bin Suwaidan, Director of the General Department of Traffic, cautioned that glancing at a screen for even two seconds can cause fatal consequences.
Police officials noted that handling phones, reading messages, and browsing mobile applications remain leading causes of sudden lane departures across the emirate.
"Failing to pay full attention directly slows driver reaction times during highway emergencies," Brigadier bin Suwaidan said. He urged motorists to keep their eyes strictly on the road and avoid secondary tasks such as eating or operating handheld gadgets.
Smart Cameras and Expanded Surveillance
To curb reckless behaviour, traffic divisions have expanded the deployment of smart monitoring devices across arterial corridors.
High-resolution surveillance systems automatically detect drivers holding phones, failing to wear seatbelts, or tailgating at unsafe speeds.
Motorists caught using mobile phones while operating a vehicle face immediate fines and black points added to their driving records. Repeat offenders risk vehicle impoundment under updated municipal transport regulations.
The enforcement push follows recent citywide sweeps targeting nuisance vehicle noise and unauthorized engine modifications, which led to the seizure of more than two hundred cars over the past month.
Educational Push and Public Contests
Alongside strict roadside enforcement, police launched a public awareness initiative offering incentives for responsible driving.
The Traffic Safety Platform rolled out an interactive five-week competition in partnership with the Esaad Card Centre. The programme tests residents on speed compliance, safe following distances, and emergency lane etiquette.
Authorities stressed that community cooperation is essential to reducing roadway fatalities and achieving national zero-casualty targets.
Regular safety checkpoints will remain active along key transit routes, including Sheikh Zayed Road, Emirates Road, and the Dubai–Al Ain highway throughout the week.
