The Abu Dhabi Police Directorate of Traffic and Patrols said it has issued 17,467 tickets to motorists who were caught using their mobile phones while driving during the first seven months of the year.

The directorate called on motorists to avoid using mobile phones while driving, warning them against the risk that could lead to serious traffic accidents.

Major Abdullah Al Suwaidi, manager of the Serious Accidents Investigation Branch at the directorate, said using mobile phones inhibits proper physical control of the vehicle’s steering as the motorist is preoccupied with holding his/her mobile device to identify the caller or speaking with that person.

Major Al Suwaidi urged drivers to avoid this bad habit so as to ensure their safety and to not disrupt traffic and cause traffic congestion. Moreover, he called on them to consider that their life and soul are more precious than the time wasted by answering a phone call, particularly since traffic accidents occur in less than a second.

He also stressed that the directorate has tightened traffic control on internal and external roads and violators will face a fine of Dh200 ($54) and four black points on their traffic record. - TradeArabia News Service