Abu Dhabi Traffic Warns Drivers of Risks Associated with Responding to Eid Messages

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates - Thursday, July 16th 2015 [ME NewsWire]

The Traffic and Patrols Directorate at the Abu Dhabi Police warned motorists against becoming preoccupied with responding to Eid greeting messages and phone calls while driving. The directorate urged for drivers to stay focused on the road in order to avoid the accidents and disruptions in traffic flow that may result from the lack of concentration.

Brigadier Khamis Ishaq Mohammed, Director of the Police Traffic and Patrols Directorate at the Directorate General of Central Operations at Abu Dhabi Police, said: “Reading text messages and using the phone while driving preoccupies the driver and this keeps them from focusing on the road ahead. Such lack of concentration multiplies the risk of traffic accidents, which subsequently results in deaths and serious injuries.”

He explained that it is easy for a driver to become distracted and lose their concentration on the road ahead when searching for his phone in his pockets, the glove box, or on the passenger’s seat. By searching for the phone, the driver may have to release his grip from the steering wheel, making it easier to lose control of the vehicle.

A new study conducted by the Directorate of Traffic and Patrols has warned of the risks associated with mobile phone use while driving. The study found that using the phone while driving impedes the driver’s ability to turn correctly; regardless of whether the user was using a handheld or hands-free phone. The study highlighted how mobile phone use increased the brain’s workload and affected the mental disposition of the driver with raised levels of tension and nervousness; correspondingly, it also affected the number of times the driver forgot to make a turn.

For more information about:

The Ministry of Interior, please click HERE

Abu Dhabi Police, please click HERE

Follow us and check our Social Media feeds on: YouTube, Facebook and Twitter

The Arabic-language text of this announcement is the official, authoritative version. Translations are provided as an accommodation only, and should be cross-referenced with the Arabic-language text, which is the only version of the text intended to have legal effect.

Contacts

The UAE Minister of Interior's General Secretariat, Tactical Affairs and Security Media Department

Abu Dhabi Police GHQ - Security Media

Chris Cron +971-(0)-50-987-1317

E-mail: cron.media@hotmail.com