Number of fines issued to Dubai drivers using mobile phones cut by nearly 40 per cent

Police said increased public awareness and Covid-19 restrictions were key to the drop in penalties

Drivers are taking more chances on roads now there is less traffic because of the pandemic. Getty

The number of fines handed out to motorists using mobile phones while behind the wheel in Dubai fell by more than a third in the first six months of the year.

Dubai Police issued 12,754 penalties from January to the end of June - down from 20,623 in the corresponding period of 2019.

Police said emirate-wide restrictions on movement in place earlier this year due to the Covid-19 pandemic had played a part in the significant reduction.

Stay-home orders were introduced in early April to help curb the spread of the virus.

The emirate's Supreme Committee of Crisis and Disaster Management directed that all journeys outside of the home - including to pick up groceries - would require official approval through a permit system operated by Dubai Police.

While this specific restriction was lifted within three weeks, authorities urged members of the public to only leave their homes for essential trips in the early stages of the outbreak.

A senior officer said heightened awareness from the public over the dangers of being distracted while driving had also proven crucial to the welcome drop in fines.

Police said motorists using phones to make calls or check on social media had led to many serious road offences, such as jumping red lights and failing to stop at pedestrian crossings, some of which had tragic consequences.

“Being distracted with a mobile phone, a driver would not be able to react properly and timely to sudden and unexpected events on the road,” said Col Jumaa Salem bin Suweidan, deputy head of Dubai Traffic Police.

“If they attempt to change lanes while on the phone, they may fail to spot cars coming from behind them and that is very risky and causes tragic accidents.”

Police in the emirate have previously warned that making calls and texts is more of a danger than drunk driving.

Officials are confident that the strong message is finally hitting home, prompting a reduction in offences on Dubai's roads.