The Darb Toll Gate in Abu Dhabi. WAM

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

Abu Dhabi has activated radars all across the city to catch motorists for not putting on seat belts and using mobile phones while driving from Jan1, 2021.

The authorities activated the VAST’ (Vehicular Attention and Safety Tracker) system for automated detection of seat belt and mobile phone violations.  

The ‘VAST’ system aims to preserve the safety of drivers, passengers and all road users, as well as raising awareness and educating the community on the importance of following safe driving practices.

The Abu Dhabi Police has developed the radar to capture high-resolution images under a variety of conditions via artificial intelligence cameras, which help with analying images and rapidly detect seat belt and mobile phone violations.

The photo has been used for illustrative purposes.

Offending drivers will receive an SMS notification of the violation directing them to rectify their behaviour immediately.

Mohamed Abdelhameed Al Askar, Director-General of the Abu Dhabi Digital Authority, said: “This cooperation with the Abu Dhabi Police comes as part of ADDA’s efforts to utilise accurate data analysis and benefit from the latest technologies to enable a digital government that is proactive, personalised, collaborative and secure.

The ‘VAST’ system was implemented in five phases: Camera and Edge Devices, Image Review Module, SMS Notification, Performance Dashboard, and Model Retraining.

The Integrated Transport Centre (ITC), part of Abu Dhabi Department of Municipalities and Transport, is requesting vehicle owners in Abu Dhabi to register for the ‘Darb’ tollgate system and activate their accounts via https://darb.itc.gov.ae or via the Darb app.
The Darb’ tollgate system will go live from 2 January 2021.

’Darb’ will be activated during peak times only on 4 bridges leading into Abu Dhabi, from 7-9am, and from 5-7pm. Dhs4 will be charged for each crossing in order to enhance traffic flow, and to encourage use of alternative means of transport, with a daily maximum fee of Dhs16 per vehicle for individual vehicles.
The registration fee per vehicle is Dhs100.
Dhs50 is a registration fee and the credit Dhs50 for passing toll gates will be deposited in the user’s account, but passing through the gates without registration would attract hefty fines.   

There are four types of tollgate violations.

Passing through a toll gate without registering the vehicle in the system after the deadline of registration incurs a fine of Dhs 100 for the first day, Dhs 200 for the second day, and Dhs 400 for the third day and so on, up to a maximum of Dhs 25,000.

Passing through a tollgate without sufficient balance in the user wallet for vehicles registered outside of Abu Dhabi Emirate will incur a fine of Dhs 50 per day.

Tampering with the licence plate of the vehicle for the purpose of evading payment of the toll fee incurs a fine of Dhs 10,000.

Tampering with any of the electronic payment devices or the toll gate system incurs a fine of Dhs10,000.