Ajman and Abu Dhabi deploying technology to make their roads safer

AJMAN // The number of vehicles caught running red lights in Ajman has increased fivefold this year after the emirate bolstered the number of surveillance cameras on its roads. Col Sheikh Sultan al Nuaimi, the police deputy director general, said there were 1,879 such violations in the first seven months of this year compared with 386 in the same period last year.

More than 30 cameras have been installed at Ajman traffic signals since January, Col al Nuaimi said. "Many drivers are still reckless and jump the red lights," he said. "The new cameras have helped us fine more reckless drivers." The new cameras have reduced police reliance on mobile patrol units, he added. In Abu Dhabi, the municipality announced yesterday that it had completed an "enhanced traffic data capturing" project that monitors accidents and traffic levels in order to improve road safety. The municipality plans to build a database of accident black spots and traffic snare points so it can address the problems.

"The project is vital for boosting traffic safety programmes," said Abdullah al Shamsi, executive director of roads, infrastructure and municipal assets at Abu Dhabi Municipality. "The new model adopts a modern technological system whereby accidents data are electronically captured, which will help identify frequent traffic accident spots in the city with a view to improving them. "Moreover, the database will be useful in establishing the causes of accidents, which will help upgrade safety and security standards across roads network," al Shamsi added.

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