VIDEO: Running red lights causes four deaths and 55 injuries this year, warn Dubai Police

Brigadier Juma Salem Bin Suwaidan, Director of the General Department of Traffic at Dubai Police, has warned of the dangers of jumping the red light, this being one of the most dangerous traffic violations that threaten the lives of drivers, their passengers and road users, especially at intersections, and often lead to serious injuries and deaths.

Traffic statistics recorded 41 accidents caused by jumping the red light since the beginning of this year, he said, adding that four people were killed and 55 others sustained varying injuries as a result of these accidents.

The most prominent reasons for committing this violation included rushing to make a decision while driving to save time, being distracted from the road by using the mobile phone while driving, attempting to cross the intersection at the last moment before the traffic light turns red and misjudging distance and speed, he added.

Traffic lights were put in place to regulate traffic flow and ensure the smooth flow of traffic and safety of road users, he said, stressing that ignoring them was not only a legal violation, but also a disregard for the lives of others, especially at intersections that witnessed high traffic density and intersections from several directions at the same time.

Bin Suwaidan called on motorists to fully comply with traffic rules where signals are concerned, gradually reduce speed when approaching intersections, avoid tailgating, focus fully on driving, and not attempt to cross the light when it turns yellow if a safe stop is possible.

Dubai Police continue their efforts to enhance traffic safety by intensifying awareness and monitoring campaigns and utilising smart technologies and traffic control systems to monitor dangerous violations, calling on all motorists to be responsible and traffic-conscious and to make their safety and the safety of others a constant priority while driving.

He stressed that access to safer roads was a shared responsibility that required everyone’s co-operation and that obeying the red light was not an option, but a legal duty and a civilised behaviour to protect lives and enhance the security and safety of society.