The UAE police campaign that offers to wipe four black points from driving licences has prompted the enthusiastic participation of motorists from across the country.
Accident-Free Day, launched by the Federal Traffic Council, says that if drivers sign an online pledge black points will be taken off their licence.
Drivers must avoid accidents and not break traffic regulations on Monday, the first day of term at many UAE schools.
The initiative aims to reduce accidents and improve road safety.
Participating drivers are expected to avoid speeding, maintain safe distances, and exercise caution while changing lanes and overtaking.
If successful, drivers may be rewarded with an improved removed record.
Brig Hussain Al Harthy, chairman of the Federal Traffic Council, said wiping of black points will happen automatically in the traffic system for all pledged drivers, if they avoid accidents and offences on Monday.
"Drivers do not need to visit service centres in traffic departments. The removal of the black points will happen automatically," Brig Al Harthy told The National.
"The Ministry of Interior and police departments will check the eligible drivers as per the data generated from the traffic systems and remove the black points from the driver's record."
Mahmoud Al Saeed, a 34-year-old Egyptian, has eight black points on his licence. He received four and a Dh500 fine for driving without a valid licence and insurance after a traffic stop in Ajman in March.
He told The National that he joined the initiative to demonstrate that he is a responsible driver.
"It is a great initiative and gave me hope. I have eight black points and was worried about my licence being revoked," he said.
He said he will be "100 per cent focusing while driving on Monday" to remove the black points.
Mr Al Saeed, who works in Dubai and lives in Ajman, said the initiative will encourage him to obey traffic rules.
"It is not only rewarding but it will also encourage drivers to follow traffic rules," he said.
Black points remain on a driver's record for one year.
However, licences can be revoked if the points exceed 24.
The licence suspension period ranges from three to six months under traffic law.
Other drivers have also announced their participation of Accident-Free Day by sharing their participation certificates on social media.
Mohammed Al Sahi, an Emirati, wrote on X, formerly Twitter: "It is a great idea to have a day without accidents.
"I wished it would be for the entire year to avoid accidents, especially the one related to run-over incidents for students stepping outside the buses and crossing the roads," he wrote, sharing an image of his pledge certificate.
Brig Al Harthy reminded drivers about the importance of following traffic laws.
"I call all on people in the UAE to consider this day as a reminder and an awareness opportunity," he said.
"By doing so, it can become a nationwide campaign that contributes to achieving the UAE's vision to be the safest country in the world."
In 2019, as part of the same campaign, motorists in Dubai who signed an online pledge to take better care on the roads were offered a 50 per cent discount on vehicle confiscation fees.
How to pledge for Accident-Free Day
Drivers can register on the Ministry of Interior website.
Other pledges include giving away to emergency vehicles and pedestrians crossing the road.
After motorists agree to honour all the traffic safety rules, they submit the form to receive their participation certificate by email.
If they prove successful on August 28, four black points will automatically be deducted from their record.
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A new relationship with the old country
Treaty of Friendship between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates
The United kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates; Considering that the United Arab Emirates has assumed full responsibility as a sovereign and independent State; Determined that the long-standing and traditional relations of close friendship and cooperation between their peoples shall continue; Desiring to give expression to this intention in the form of a Treaty Friendship; Have agreed as follows:
ARTICLE 1 The relations between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates shall be governed by a spirit of close friendship. In recognition of this, the Contracting Parties, conscious of their common interest in the peace and stability of the region, shall: (a) consult together on matters of mutual concern in time of need; (b) settle all their disputes by peaceful means in conformity with the provisions of the Charter of the United Nations.
ARTICLE 2 The Contracting Parties shall encourage education, scientific and cultural cooperation between the two States in accordance with arrangements to be agreed. Such arrangements shall cover among other things: (a) the promotion of mutual understanding of their respective cultures, civilisations and languages, the promotion of contacts among professional bodies, universities and cultural institutions; (c) the encouragement of technical, scientific and cultural exchanges.
ARTICLE 3 The Contracting Parties shall maintain the close relationship already existing between them in the field of trade and commerce. Representatives of the Contracting Parties shall meet from time to time to consider means by which such relations can be further developed and strengthened, including the possibility of concluding treaties or agreements on matters of mutual concern.
ARTICLE 4 This Treaty shall enter into force on today’s date and shall remain in force for a period of ten years. Unless twelve months before the expiry of the said period of ten years either Contracting Party shall have given notice to the other of its intention to terminate the Treaty, this Treaty shall remain in force thereafter until the expiry of twelve months from the date on which notice of such intention is given.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF the undersigned have signed this Treaty.
DONE in duplicate at Dubai the second day of December 1971AD, corresponding to the fifteenth day of Shawwal 1391H, in the English and Arabic languages, both texts being equally authoritative.
Signed
Geoffrey Arthur Sheikh Zayed
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Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
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Key figures in the life of the fort
Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.
Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.
Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.
Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae
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