Eating while driving to be banned in the UAE (among other things)
Do you often tuck into a shwarma while out on the road? Well…
Dubai Police have drawn up a list of activities that they think should be banned for drivers in a bid to boost road safety.
The proposed offence list includes eating, applying makeup, trimming your beard, readjusting a ghutra (headdress) and watching TV (yeah, Netflix and Sheikh Zayed Road are not a good combo).
At the moment, both using a mobile phone and taking selfies while driving carries a fine of Dhs200 and means four black points, but the Police believe there are many other things that can distract a driver dangerously and so presented the list of suggested banned activities to the Federal Traffic Council.
Major General Mohammed Saif Al Zafin, Assistant Police Commander-in-Chief for Operations in Dubai, told Arabic daily Al Bayan that the punishment for each offence would be determined by policemen on a case-by-case basis, but could include a Dh1,000 fine, 12 black points and the vehicle being impounded for one month.
“All these offences will be classified under one offence involving failure by the drivers to concentrate on the road by getting busy with other things,” he told Al Bayan.
“The new law also involves impounding the offender’s car if it is proved that the offence endangered human lives.”
Swerving is one of the main cause of accidents on UAE roads, and the need for the last minute move is often caused by distracted drivers.
Other things on the proposed ban list include drinking, reading, combing your hair and smoking electronic shisha. The Police have also recently suggested that making and receiving handsfree calls be banned for drivers.
Do you do any of the above while driving?
Photo: Getty Images
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