Reckless motorist arrested for driving in the wrong direction, hitting police patrol

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

The Dubai Police have arrested a reckless man, accompanied by two men, for driving a vehicle without plate number in the wrong direction on Jabel Ali-Lehbab Road, failing to comply with the instructions of police officers, hitting a police patrol, and endangering the lives of other road users.

According to Brigadier Saif Muhair Al Mazrouei, director of Dubai Traffic Police, the police patrol was on its regular duty when they spotted the reckless driver driving his SUV recklessly.

“The driver refused to comply with the officers’ instructions, and ignored the police’s siren and loudspeaker.”

“The reckless motorist took a wrong turn and started driving in the wrong direction towards Dubai-Al-Ain Road,” Brig. Al Mazrouei said.

Brigadier Al Mazrouei pointed out that as the driver started driving in the wrong direction, he saw the incoming vehicles and deliberately collided with the police patrol before he headed to Sharjah-bound Emirates Road.

“As he continued driving recklessly, the driver lost control and veered off the road with a busted tyre before his vehicle broke down and came to a complete stop,” Brig. Al Mazrouei added.

Brigadier Al Mazrouei said the police patrol arrested the reckless driver and his two accomplices for further legal action.

The director of Dubai Traffic Police warned against driving recklessly and endangering the lives of road users, stressing that serious actions would be taken against reckless motorists including jail term and confiscating vehicles. 

He noted that Article 21 of the UAE federal law of 1995 concerning Road Traffic states that driving a vehicle without a plate number in a way that endangers people's lives and causes damage to their property while failing to comply with police orders, is punishable by imprisonment for a period of no less than a month and not exceeding three years, and a fine not exceeding three hundred thousand dirhams, as well as suspending the driver’s license for two years and depriving the driver of the right to obtain a renewed license for a similar period. If the driver had no valid license, judicial authorities will be asked to deprive the driver the right to obtain a new driving license for not less than four years in addition to confiscating the vehicle used in committing such offences.

Brigadier Al Mazrouei also reminded road users that respecting traffic laws and regulations is a reflection of one’s respect for self and other road users. He also urged public members to report reckless drivers via the Police Eye service available on the Dubai Police smart app.