Egypt arrests nearly 50 drivers for drug use in crackdown after deadly crashes
The arrests were part of a sweeping 24-hour campaign by the Interior Ministry, which tested 355 drivers for narcotics and uncovered multiple violations, the ministry said in a statement on Sunday.
The campaign comes in response to nationwide outrage over a series of deadly accidents on the Regional Ring Road, which connects six provinces and has become notorious for its high accident rate. The road has been made unsafe by poorly managed repair work, currently being carried out by the state, that forces two-way traffic into a single lane on a 110-kilometre stretch of the road.
The crackdown also resulted in 744 traffic violations on the Regional Ring Road alone, including driving against traffic, overloading passengers, and failing to meet licensing requirements. In addition to the 48 drivers arrested for illegal drugs, 36 individuals wanted for a total of 136 court judgments were detained, and seven vehicles were impounded for serious violations, the ministry said. It promised to continue the crackdown.
On Sunday morning, another crash occurred on the Regional Ring Road near the village of Al-Naamana in Sharqia province. The incident involved the collision of a bus carrying 26 passengers, a lorry, and two microbuses.
The crash caused damage to the vehicles but no injuries or fatalities were recorded, according to the Sharqia Security Directorate. Police detained the drivers involved and launched an investigation. While no lives were lost in Sunday's crash, it has reignited concerns about the road's safety.
On Saturday evening, nine people died and 11 were injured in a head-on collision between two minibuses on the road. On June 26, 19 people, including 18 teenage girls, were killed when a lorry crossed into oncoming traffic and crushed their minibus in Menoufia province.
President Abdel Fattah El Sisi has ordered the temporary closure of all repair zones on the Regional Ring Road and instructed authorities to make safe detours available. In a statement following Saturday's crash, he called for stricter enforcement of traffic laws, including oversight of lorry drivers and expanded drug testing.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Filipino Times
2 days ago
- Filipino Times
Kuwait Arrests 67 Over Illegal Alcohol Production After 23 Deaths
Authorities in Kuwait have arrested 67 individuals accused of running illegal operations that produced and distributed locally made alcoholic drinks linked to the deaths of 23 people in recent days, the Interior Ministry announced. Alcohol is strictly banned in Kuwait, but illicit production continues in hidden factories without regulation or safety measures, putting consumers at risk of methanol poisoning. In a statement posted on X late Saturday, the Interior Ministry said six factories had been shut down, along with four others that were not yet operational, located in both residential and industrial areas. The Health Ministry confirmed that methanol poisoning cases had risen to 160, with fatalities climbing from 13 to 23, most of the victims being Asian nationals. Authorities said the ringleader of the criminal network, a Bangladeshi national, has been arrested. A Nepali suspect reportedly described how the methanol-based drinks were prepared and distributed.
Khaleej Times
2 days ago
- Khaleej Times
Watch: Sharjah Police share video of car hitting man, remind pedestrians to cross safely
UAE authorities have time and again called on pedestrians to cross at designated areas, introduced strict penalties for jaywalking, and tightened laws on road safety. Yet, some individuals can be seen running across roads in an attempt to get to the other side quicker. Sharjah police released a video of an accident where a man is seen running across the pedestrian crossing as a car approaches, resulting in the collision between the two, and the loss of a life. Although the man is crossing at a designated area, it appears as though he is crossing while the signal indicates green for vehicles. Authorities reminded the public that "almost every report [of an accident] starts with the same cause — unsafe crossing." When crossing in a reckless manner to save a few seconds or minutes, the pedestrian endangers their life and of others on the roads. When accidents occur, they affect not just the victim, but their loved ones, authorities reminded. Watch a video, shared by Sharjah Police, here: A new traffic law which came into effect on March 29 introduced hefty fines and even jail time for jaywalking across the UAE, which refers to crossing from unauthorised areas. Before March, the penalty for jaywalking was Dh400. However, under the new law, jaywalkers could face imprisonment and a fine of Dh5,000 to Dh10,000 if the offence results in a traffic accident. In addition, those who cross from undesignated areas on roads with a speed limit of 80kmph or more will face higher penalties. For such a violation, fines start at Dh10,000 and the individual will be punished with imprisonment for a period of not less than three months, or by one of these two penalties.
Khaleej Times
4 days ago
- Khaleej Times
Ajman e-scooter ban: UAE residents recount near-misses, say 'safety paramount'
The decision to ban the use of e-scooters in Ajman would inconvenience some commuters but must have come after a lot of careful consideration, a road safety expert says. Meanwhile, some residents said that the move was an understandable decision for the safety of the community. 'Authorities don't take such measures without a lot of thought,' said Dr Eng. Mustafa Aldah, founder of MA Traffic Consulting. 'There must be something major behind this decision, and in the coming days it will become clearer.' He noted that while most road users follow traffic laws, a reckless minority creates risks that can lead to severe accidents. 'All it takes is one injury or fatality to have a huge repercussion in society,' he added. It was on Friday that all Ajman Police announced that the use of electric scooters of all types would be prohibited on public streets. Last month, it issued an advisory asking riders of e-scooters and two-wheelers to follow rules on the road, warning against the use of unauthorised electric bicycles and scooters. Ajman resident Asha Jamal said that she understood why the move was important. 'During last Ramadan, I almost met with an accident when an e-scooter came towards me as the rider was was going in the wrong direction,' she said. 'The ban may be miserable for many but the safety of the road users and the e-scooter users themselves are paramount.' In 2024 alone, the city recorded 254 accidents involving e-scooters and bicycles, resulting in 10 fatalities and 259 injuries. Earlier this month, Abu Dhabi police released a video which highlighted the dangers of improper e-scooter use in public and residential areas, drawing strong reactions from residents across the UAE. Lack of proper knowledge Dr Aldah stressed that many e-scooter riders lack proper road knowledge, as some have never held a driving license. He described common dangerous practices, including riding against traffic at night without lights or reflective clothing. Another Ajman resident Parveen Backer described an incident she had witnessed. 'From our building, we need to take a right turn to access the main road,' she said. 'Drivers usually check for vehicles from the left, and if clear, proceed. One day, while a driver was waiting to turn, a boy aged around 15 or 16 suddenly appeared from the right side without warning. Fortunately, the driver was moving slowly, and both escaped unharmed. Otherwise, it would have been a terrible tragedy.' In February this year, a 15-year-old badminton player lost her life in a tragic incident when the e-scooter she was driving on got into an accident. Later, her childhood friend called for tighter rules on the vehicle to ensure such incidents don't repeat. Timely move According to Dr Aldah, the ban by Ajman police is timely. 'Vulnerable road users can make up to 50 per cent of fatalities on the road so we must all watch out for each other,' he said, praising the swift and proactive approach to road safety regulations. He pointed out that that safety gear, visibility, and vehicle maintenance are essential for riders in areas where scooters remain permitted. He also urged targeting awareness campaigns at schools and parents, citing recent incidents involving children, including fatalities. Asha added that the ban would impact people she worked closely with. 'My household help commutes to and from our house in an e-scooter,' she said. 'This ban will definitely impact his timeliness but that is a small price to pay for his safety. He is now trying to sell it so that he can get money to find another mode of transport to commute to his accommodation.'
