Dubai Police promoting safe driving during Ramadan

DUBAI: Major General Saif Muhair Al Mazrouei, Director of the General Department of Traffic at Dubai Police, stated that in collaboration with partners, the Traffic Awareness and Campaigns Department had distributed 89,900 Iftar meals in the first third of the holy month of Ramadan to motorists before the Maghrib prayer.

This is part of the ‘Ramadan without Accidents’ initiative aimed at raising awareness of the dangers of committing traffic violations, which can lead to severe accidents.

Al Mazrouei emphasised that this step is part of the programmes and activities related to traffic awareness, spreading traffic culture among road users, and employing all appropriate means to achieve the desired goal.

He confirmed that traffic accidents often increase before Iftar time in Ramadan as some motorists try to reach their homes shortly before Iftar, which makes them more prone to committing dangerous traffic violations, such as speeding and other offences like overtaking from the road’s shoulder, not adhering to the mandatory lane, and passing through red lights at intersections.

“These violations can cause severe accidents, resulting in the loss of innocent lives, human injuries, and property damage,” Al Mazrouei said.

Colonel Salah Abdullah Al Hammadi, Director of the Traffic Awareness and Campaigns Department, said high-traffic intersections were chosen to distribute Iftar meals.

He explained that traffic officers, participating entities, and young volunteers, both male and female, were involved in distributing the meals to road users.

Al Hammadi pointed out that the number of beneficiaries in the first third of Ramadan reached 89,900 people, with an average of about 9,000 Iftar meals distributed daily.

The Director of the Traffic Awareness and Campaigns Department also expressed gratitude and appreciation to the participating entities, including the Al Hilal Charity Association, Beit Al Khair Association, MedSev Company, Life Pharmacy, and AGC Al Koozi Company, for their contribution to the success of the ‘Ramadan without Accidents’ initiative.