New cameras have helped Dubai Police catch a driver using two mobile phones at once and another reading a newspaper while on the road.
In a video posted on their official social media channels, Dubai Police said their technology will be able to detect violations even if a vehicle’s windscreen is tinted.
The investment in new technology is aimed at enhancing road safety in Dubai, said Maj Gen Saif Al Mazrouei, acting assistant commander-in-chief for operations at Dubai Police.
The technology can catch drivers who use mobile phones, do not wear seatbelts or are distracted.
“The use of these technologies supports Dubai's objective of becoming a global leader in traffic safety and aligns with the strategic goal of reducing road accident fatalities,” said Maj Gen Al Mazrouei.
Distracted driving blamed for four-vehicle collision in Sharjah
Six people were injured when a speeding car crashed into three other vehicles on Emirates Road in Sharjah on Friday afternoon.
The driver failed to notice the build-up in traffic and caused the four-car collision, said Abdullah Al-Munazari, head of the traffic and patrol department at Sharjah Police, blaming the crash on distracted driving and speeding.
Teams from Sharjah Police and National Ambulance were dispatched to the accident site, near Al Badiya Bridge towards Bridge No 7. Some of the injured were airlifted to hospital.
Tighter penalties for distracted driving
Distracted drivers in Dubai caught using mobile phones behind the wheel face having their vehicles seized for up to 30 days under a traffic crackdown, The National reported in October.
Previously, motorists found using mobile phones while driving could be fined Dh800 ($217) and receive four traffic points on their licence.
Road users putting other drivers at risk by swerving suddenly, tailgating or practising poor lane discipline also face stiffer penalties under the new laws.
Six people were killed in road accidents in the first eight months of last year by drivers using mobile phones behind the wheel, according to Dubai Police figures shared in October 2023. Police recorded 35,527 distracting driving offences in this period, with 50 people injured as a result.
Distracted driving causes most road fatalities
According to Thomas Edelmann, managing director of Road Safety UAE, the data from the Ministry of Interior shows that distracted driving is the number one cause of death on the roads. “And within distracted driving, the use of mobile phones is a very, very big contributor,” he added.
“We have the laws in place, and we have the element of enforcement by the policemen, but there's also the enforcement by technology.
“Now you see a lot of radar installations that can not only capture our speed but can also capture the distance to the vehicle in front of us. So, if you're tailgating, you get a fine.”
Road accidents on the rise
The number of road accidents in the UAE rose by 11 per cent last year, compared to 2022.
Statistics from the Ministry of Interior released in May this year showed there were 4,391 crashes last year, up from 3,945 in 2022. These accidents resulted in 352 deaths, a slight increase from 343 in 2022.
Accidents in Abu Dhabi caused 133 deaths and 1,850 injuries in 2023, compared to 121 deaths and 2,607 injuries in Dubai.
In Sharjah, 34 people died in traffic accidents last year and 387 were injured. Ras Al Khaimah authorities recorded 30 road deaths and 326 injuries.
There were 16 road deaths in Umm Al Quwain and 63 injuries, 11 crash deaths in Ajman and 133 injuries, while Fujairah recorded seven road deaths and 202 injuries.
How e-scooters are affecting UAE road safety – in pictures
BRAZIL SQUAD
Alisson (Liverpool), Daniel Fuzato (Roma), Ederson (Man City); Alex Sandro (Juventus), Danilo (Juventus), Eder Militao (Real Madrid), Emerson (Real Betis), Felipe (Atletico Madrid), Marquinhos (PSG), Renan Lodi (Atletico Madrid), Thiago Silva (PSG); Arthur (Barcelona), Casemiro (Real Madrid), Douglas Luiz (Aston Villa), Fabinho (Liverpool), Lucas Paqueta (AC Milan), Philippe Coutinho (Bayern Munich); David Neres (Ajax), Gabriel Jesus (Man City), Richarlison (Everton), Roberto Firmino (Liverpool), Rodrygo (Real Madrid), Willian (Chelsea).
The candidates
Dr Ayham Ammora, scientist and business executive
Ali Azeem, business leader
Tony Booth, professor of education
Lord Browne, former BP chief executive
Dr Mohamed El-Erian, economist
Professor Wyn Evans, astrophysicist
Dr Mark Mann, scientist
Gina MIller, anti-Brexit campaigner
Lord Smith, former Cabinet minister
Sandi Toksvig, broadcaster
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Dr Amal Khalid Alias revealed a recent case of a woman with daughters, who specifically wanted a boy.
A semen analysis of the father showed abnormal sperm so the couple required IVF.
Out of 21 eggs collected, six were unused leaving 15 suitable for IVF.
A specific procedure was used, called intracytoplasmic sperm injection where a single sperm cell is inserted into the egg.
On day three of the process, 14 embryos were biopsied for gender selection.
The next day, a pre-implantation genetic report revealed four normal male embryos, three female and seven abnormal samples.
Day five of the treatment saw two male embryos transferred to the patient.
The woman recorded a positive pregnancy test two weeks later.
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
Sole survivors
- Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
- George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
- Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
- Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
Zayed Sustainability Prize
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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United States
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China
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UAE
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Japan
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Norway
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Canada
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Singapore
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WHAT IS A BLACK HOLE?
1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull
2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight
3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge
4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own
5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed
ELIO
Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett
Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina
Rating: 4/5
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
RESULT
Arsenal 2
Sokratis Papastathopoulos 45 4'
Eddie Ntkeiah 51'
Portsmouth 0
more from Janine di Giovanni
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What is Reform?
Reform is a right-wing, populist party led by Nigel Farage, a former MEP who won a seat in the House of Commons last year at his eighth attempt and a prominent figure in the campaign for the UK to leave the European Union.
It was founded in 2018 and originally called the Brexit Party.
Many of its members previously belonged to UKIP or the mainstream Conservatives.
After Brexit took place, the party focused on the reformation of British democracy.
Former Tory deputy chairman Lee Anderson became its first MP after defecting in March 2024.
The party gained support from Elon Musk, and had hoped the tech billionaire would make a £100m donation. However, Mr Musk changed his mind and called for Mr Farage to step down as leader in a row involving the US tycoon's support for far-right figurehead Tommy Robinson who is in prison for contempt of court.
Chef Nobu's advice for eating sushi
“One mistake people always make is adding extra wasabi. There is no need for this, because it should already be there between the rice and the fish.
“When eating nigiri, you must dip the fish – not the rice – in soy sauce, otherwise the rice will collapse. Also, don’t use too much soy sauce or it will make you thirsty. For sushi rolls, dip a little of the rice-covered roll lightly in soy sauce and eat in one bite.
“Chopsticks are acceptable, but really, I recommend using your fingers for sushi. Do use chopsticks for sashimi, though.
“The ginger should be eaten separately as a palette cleanser and used to clear the mouth when switching between different pieces of fish.”
The specs
Price, base / as tested Dh135,000
Engine 1.6L turbo
Gearbox Six speed automatic with manual and sports mode
Power 165hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque 240Nm @ 1,400rpm 0-100kph: 9.2 seconds
Top speed 420 kph (governed)
Fuel economy, combined 35.2L / 100km (est)
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
THE LIGHT
Director: Tom Tykwer
Starring: Tala Al Deen, Nicolette Krebitz, Lars Eidinger
Rating: 3/5
