Dubai Police launch safety campaign for truck drivers

Sohaila Ahmed, Staff Reporter

The Dubai Police General Headquarters, worked together with a number of partners from government and private sector, to launch a road safety campaign for truck drivers, which will last for a full week at Al Aweer Area in Dubai.

Launching the campaign came within the framework of Dubai Police’s traffic awareness lectures, aimed at maintaining roads security and urging drivers to adhere to traffic rules.

The campaign’s activities were introduced by Colonel Juma Salim Bin Suwaidan, Deputy Director of the Dubai Police’s Traffic Department, in the presence of Colonel Mohammed Ali Karam, Director of Traffic Technologies Department, a number of traffic officers, and Christophe Sassolas, Director of Total E&P UAE.

These activities are organised in collaboration with the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), Dubai Municipality, Insurance Authority, Total UAE, and Aster Hospital.

Col. Juma highlighted that the campaign was launched at the truck rest area of Al Aweer Fruit & Vegetables Market, Dubai, and is aimed at increasing awareness of truck drivers, maintain their safety and security, and preventing the occurring of road accidents.

However, Col. Juma revealed that most truck accidents take place as drivers do not adhere to traffic rules and stop on the side of the road, and may also make sudden swerves, which might cause fatal accidents.

He pointed out that last year, trucks have caused 52 fatal accidents, leading to the deaths of 11 people, and the injuries of 57 people. Additionally, a number of 18,203 traffic fines were issued for various violations made by truck drivers during 2019.

Meanwhile in 2018, 57 accidents took place in Dubai, causing the deaths of 15 people, and leaving as many as 80 people injured.

Col. Juma urged truck drivers to make use of the organised activities, which stress on the importance of adhering to safety and security traffic rules, and teach drivers about necessary safety precautions that must be followed.