Abu Dhabi Police release video to highlight deadly dangers of tailgating

Motorists adopting bullying tactics risk causing serious road accidents, say police

Abu Dhabi Police have launched a new safety drive to reduce tailgating offences. Courtesy Abu Dhabi Police

Lives are being put at risk on the capital's roads by both aggressive tailgating and stubborn motorists failing to give way to fast-approaching vehicles, say Abu Dhabi Police.

The force released video footage on social media demonstrating how bullying tactics deployed by impatient motorists - such as failing to keep a safe distance from other vehicles and rapidly flashing their headlights and blaring their horns - can distract drivers in front and lead to serious accidents.

Police said it is the responsibility of motorists to move into lanes on the right-hand side of the motorway if travelling at slower speeds to help avoid such incidents.

Traffic police urged drivers to behave responsibly and abide by the rules of the road as part of its Safety Path campaign.

Last month, Abu Dhabi Police revealed more than 19,000 tailgating offences were recorded in the first half of the year.

The force said those who cause road accidents by failing to maintain a safe distance face having their vehicles seized for up to three months and have to pay Dh5,000 impound fees to have their cars released.

Anyone caught tailgating will incur a fine of Dh400 and have four points placed on their licence.

Police said tailgating is one of the leading causes of accidents in the capital.

They said 19,327 tailgating offences were reported from the start of the year up until the end of June.

____________________________________

Dubai and Abu Dhabi's emergency services first to get new Land Cruiser - in pictures

They highlighted the dangers of driving too close to other vehicles, particularly in hazardous weather conditions, such as heavy rain and fog.

Abu Dhabi Police regularly post footage of motorists causing accidents by flouting traffic regulations on social media in a bid to raise awareness of the serious consequences of reckless driving.

Sensors to catch tailgaters were activated across Abu Dhabi in January last year.

Police said a text-message warning would be sent to drivers for tailgating the first time. Any subsequent offence would incur a fine and four black points on the motorist's licence.

Officers called on drivers to leave at least two seconds between the car in front during good weather to reduce the risk of accidents if traffic suddenly slows.

If the road is unpaved, weather is poor, or the vehicle in front is a lorry, more than two seconds should be left between vehicles, police said.

“Statistics during the past years show that failing to leave sufficient safe distance is one of three main causes of accidents,” Brig Salem Al Dhaheri, Deputy Director of Abu Dhabi Police Traffic Department, said.

“Not leaving enough distance can also be the fault of the driver who did not clear the way for the person coming from the back or from the left.”