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Khaleej Times
2 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.'
Khaleej Times
14-07-2025
- Automotive
- Khaleej Times
Rubbernecking? Why UAE slaps Dh1,000 fine for slowing down to watch accidents
Slowing down to look at crash scenes is more than just a bad habit, it's a traffic offence in the UAE that can lead to a fine of Dh1,000 and serious road safety consequences. The behaviour, known as rubbernecking, not only delays emergency response but can also trigger secondary accidents, experts warn. 'Rubbernecking is covered by multiple fine categories in the UAE traffic law. It falls under terms like 'obstructing traffic' or 'stopping without cause,' two fine categories found in earlier versions of the UAE traffic law,' said Mustafa Khan, founder of MA Traffic Consulting. The expert warned motorists that this small habit could lead to hefty penalties, including vehicle impoundment for 14 days in some emirates. Though awareness is growing, many motorists remain unaware that such behaviour is punishable. Ahmad Mujtaba, a Dubai-based driver, said he did not know it was an offence. 'I honestly didn't know. I've seen people slow down to look at accident sites, and I assumed it was normal.' Ahmad added that he was aware it wasn't encouraged, as he had seen awareness messages on social media throughout the year. But he said, 'I didn't know I could actually be fined for it. It feels like a natural human reaction.' Others, however, are more conscious of the rules. 'In Germany, where I lived for five years, rubbernecking is heavily fined,' said Sarah M., a UAE resident. 'People avoid it because they know it's treated seriously and seen as a safety issue.' Road disruptions Rubbernecking doesn't just cause inconvenience to other drivers; it also has a direct impact on road safety. 'There's something called a 'phantom traffic jam,' a sudden slowdown without any clear reason,' said Mustafa. 'One car touches the brakes to look at something on the other side of the road, and that action travels backwards through traffic. If people are driving too close to the vehicle ahead, they can't react in time, and this can lead to secondary accidents.' Even without a full stop, the ripple effect of brake lights can be enough to disrupt traffic flow for several minutes. 'Always leave a safe 2–3 second gap between you and the car ahead,' he added. 'That gives you enough time to see what's in front of them too, not just what they're doing.' Hard to catch, but not invisible While official figures are limited, some data points highlight the extent of the issue. A previous report by Khaleej Times cited 630 violations issued last year in the UAE for 'obstructing traffic during traffic accidents.' Mustafa believes this is only a small portion of actual incidents. 'Enforcement is tough because emergency services need to focus on saving lives first, not writing tickets. But with automated systems or surveillance drones in high-risk areas, we'd likely see a huge spike in violations recorded, followed by a drop as drivers realise they're being monitored.' More than a traffic issue Beyond delays and accidents, rubbernecking leads to increased fuel use, faster brake wear, and loss of driver focus. 'If your attention is on something else while driving, who is watching the road ahead?' Mustafa asked. 'You might miss an object, another car changing lanes, or even a pedestrian. The danger is not always what's behind you, but what you're not seeing in front.' While fines remain a deterrent, experts say awareness campaigns are equally important to shift public behaviour. Social media can be an effective tool in showing drivers the wider impact of their actions. 'Drivers need to understand that their curiosity could cost someone their life,' Mustafa said. 'If you were in an ambulance fighting for survival, would you want to be stuck in traffic because someone ahead of you slowed down to take a video?' His final message: 'If you're curious about crash scenes, there are plenty of educational videos online. Don't risk lives on the road. Curiosity can wait, emergency vehicles can't.'
Hi Dubai
14-04-2025
- Automotive
- Hi Dubai
Dubai Launches Special Unit to Crack Down on E-Scooter, Cycling Violations
In a significant move to enhance road safety and ensure responsible use of personal mobility devices, Dubai has introduced a dedicated Personal Mobility Monitoring Unit to oversee cycling and e-scooter activities. The initiative aims to enforce compliance with existing regulations and reduce accidents involving these popular modes of transport. According to road safety and driving expert Mustafa Aldah, the unit is a step in the right direction. 'This new special unit sends a strong message to the public. It's about saving lives,' said Aldah, who is also the founder of MA Traffic Consulting. He expressed hope that the initiative would bring the number of e-scooter-related deaths and injuries down to zero. Aldah drew a parallel with efforts from the early 2000s when pedestrian fatalities accounted for nearly 50% of road deaths. Back then, dedicated task forces and stricter enforcement led to a notable drop in illegal pedestrian crossings and casualties. 'Once people saw authorities taking action, they started taking safety seriously,' he noted. The growing popularity of e-scooters and bicycles in urban areas has led to rising concerns over their safe use. Under current regulations, riders must stick to designated lanes, avoid carrying passengers or unbalanced loads, never ride against traffic, and always wear helmets and protective gear. Violators face fines of up to Dh300. In 2024 alone, nearly 40,000 violations involving e-scooters and bicycles were recorded across Dubai. Residents have welcomed the new monitoring unit, viewing it as a necessary measure to promote accountability. Marco Dante, a 40-year-old software engineer living in Arjan, shared his concerns about nighttime safety. 'My favourite time is walking with my family at night. But lately, we've had to stay alert even on pedestrian-only paths — e-scooters often zip past without lights or even a bell,' he said. 'This initiative will hopefully encourage people to follow road rules.' Former e-scooter user Fahima Mustafa echoed similar sentiments. 'I used an e-scooter when I first started working. It was convenient, but since then, I've seen more accidents,' she said. Fahima praised the new unit, saying it reflects the seriousness of the issue. 'It will remind everyone that e-scooters aren't toys — they're vehicles that come with responsibility.' As Dubai continues to promote alternative modes of transport, the introduction of this monitoring unit signals a stronger push for safer, more regulated mobility for all road users. News Source: Khaleej Times
Khaleej Times
19-03-2025
- Automotive
- Khaleej Times
Mandatory school bus, 2 in each car: UAE experts suggest solutions to combat Dubai-Sharjah traffic
On Tuesday, the Minister of Energy and Infrastructure proposed that new policies were needed to deal with the increasing number of vehicles and traffic congestion. He suggested updating policies regarding car ownership rules and introducing new modes of transport and the development of new roadways. According to Suhail Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, the number of vehicles on the road has exceeded 8 per cent, far past the global rate of 2 per cent, in which the minister described it as 'abnormal.' Mustafa Aldah, Founder of MA Traffic Consulting, said while speaking to Khaleej Times that he does not think that this growth rate is sustainable. Aldah said that this is 'a sign of good things to come,' when noting the ministry's proposals. He then added that it will be challenging to find a solution that 'will harmonise traffic between the two emirates [Sharjah and Dubai] at peak times' because of the different patterns of traffic and mix of vehicles on roads. Aldah said that motorised vehicles are very accessible in the UAE. "So, maybe restricting that a little bit we will reduce congestion on the roads, that's one theory.' He added that another potential solution could be expanding public transport and increasing its capacity. In the Republic of Singapore, a system of Certificate of Entitlement (COE) was introduced and implemented in 1990 to manage the increasing number of vehicles on the roads. A COE license is required for each vehicle and is obtained from a bidding, which gives an individual the right to own a vehicle for up to 10 years. Commenting on this, Aldah called it a 'contentious issue,' because 'the Singaporean population has been conditioned to car restrictions for a very long time, whereas our population is very new to this, so I suspect the authorities will want to go easy to begin with.' Two per car Founder and Managing Director of RoadSafetyUAE Thomas Edelmann said he is 'not sure if car ownership rules (for example regulated by high taxes like in some densely populated cities already in place) would suit the UAE.' But, he added, limiting the number of vehicles would be beneficial. Edelmann suggested a minimum number of passengers in a vehicle during rush hour on key arterial roads, for example two people in one car. He said that there could be a focus on 'aggressively investing in public mass transportation,' as well as the 'mandatory use of school buses instead of individual school runs in private cars,' to reduce traffic congestion. 'Dedicated carpooling lanes for vehicles with more than 2 people on board could be introduced and this could be an incentive to increase the number of occupants per vehicle,' he added. Edelmann said that in a survey his company conducted in 2020, it was found that 83 per cent of UAE residents depended on cars, whereas, only 13 per cent used public transportation. More than half (67 per cent) used their cars to commute to and from their workplace. He suggested that people could try reducing the number of trips they take in their cars, including for work purposes.
