Now, smart cameras on Civil Defence vehicles help police fine motorists for not giving way to emergency vehicles

The Abu Dhabi Civil Defence Authority has integrated smart cameras into its fleet of fire, ambulance, and rescue vehicles to advance its emergency response capabilities, improve incident site accessibility, and promote road safety.

This initiative seeks to minimise response times by analysing traffic patterns, addressing on-ground obstacles, and identifying alternative routes for emergency vehicles in coordination with relevant entities. The approach not only ensures swift arrival at incident locations and effective situation management but also emphasises the importance of yielding to emergency vehicles, fostering greater awareness among drivers.

The smart camera network is seamlessly connected to the operations room's advanced systems, enabling real-time tracking of vehicle movements, facilitating prompt decision-making, and activating emergency routes whenever necessary. This enhances public safety across Abu Dhabi's roads while strengthening the effectiveness and preparedness of the emergency response infrastructure in the emirate.

The Authority has announced that smart cameras installed on emergency vehicles are being used to monitor and document violations that obstruct their movement. These cameras transmit footage directly to the operations room, enabling better field response strategies, increased efficiency in humanitarian operations, and enhanced safety for road users.

It further explained that failing to give way to emergency vehicles is considered a grave traffic offence. The cameras mounted on emergency vehicles actively track these violations, which are met with strict penalties including a fine of Dhs3,000, a 30-day vehicle impoundment, and the addition of six black points to the driver's record. Importantly, the Authority highlighted that drivers can give way to the emergency vehicles without fully running a red light, ensuring compliance with traffic laws while prioritising safety.

This effort is part of the "Don't Hesitate...Give Way Immediately" campaign, launched in collaboration with Abu Dhabi Police General Headquarters, the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, and the Integrated Transport Centre. The initiative seeks to instil prompt responsiveness among drivers, promote safer driving behaviour, and raise public awareness about the critical need to give way to emergency vehicles, as every second can prove vital in saving lives.