UAE to lower driving age to 17, provide rest areas for truck drivers

As the traffic rules undergoes certain changes in Dubai, the officials have succeeded in the talks to lower the driving limit to 17.

Major-General Mohammed Saif Al Zafeen, Chairman of Federal Traffic Council and Assistant Commander-in-Chief for Operations Dubai Police, reportedly said that the Council has approved the lowering of the minimum age limit to obtain a driver’s licence to 17 years, a local newspaper reported.

The resolution is now under consideration by the Council of Ministers, he added.

Another recommendation was to provide rest areas for truck drivers along highways, especially along the long stretch of Abu Dhabi-Fujairah road.

Maj.Gen. Zafeen said statistics have confirmed that speeding was the cause of majority of traffic accidents. Seven people were killed due to speeding so far this year, compared to nine last year and six in 2013 during the same period.

There were 177 traffic deaths last year, of which 63 died either due to speeding, overtaking, and not leaving enough distance between vehicles, he added.

However, there has been a reduction in deaths to just three cases per 100,000 people, according to the analysis section at the Directorate-General of Traffic, Dubai Police. The department strives to achieve zero fatality by initiating awareness campaigns.

A campaign was launched on Sunday in co-operation with Enoc, to emphasise that speeding is fatal.

Maj-Gen. Zafeen added that sudden deviation and driving recklessly without leaving minimum space between vehicles are also unsafe.

As part of the campaign, leaflets in three languages will be distributed at shopping malls; text messages sent to subscribers of Etisalat and Du; and seminars conducted in schools and companies.

This year‘s campaign would focus on the behaviour of drivers and road users.

(Emirates 247)