New rules for taxi drivers meant to reduce crashes

Any driver who is involved in three accidents in one calendar year will be terminated under new rules set by The Centre for Regulation of Transport by Hire Cars.

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ABU DHABI // The Centre for Regulation of Transport by Hire Cars has implemented tougher rules for the city’s 10,000 taxi drivers.

The new rules are aimed at reducing the number of crashes involving cabs by 50 per cent.

The “Traffic Safety & Security” initiative has been launched as part of Gulf Traffic Week and introduces new regulations for all taxi operators in the city.

Any driver who is involved in three accidents in one calendar year will be terminated. Other offences that are grounds for dismissal include: accumulating 24 or more black points in one calendar year, jumping a red light, driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs or similar substances, not stopping after causing an accident and reckless driving.

Drivers who exceed the speed limit will now only receive one warning per day. If they speed a second time, they will be fined. If a driver exceeds the speed limit by 20 km/h, the meter will shut down immediately and the driver will be investigated.

Also, the drivers’ maximum number of working hours will be electronically set to not exceed eight hours per day as “Hired” status.

The centre is also holding taxi operators accountable for installing Parking Assistance/ Reverse Sensors in all of the city’s 10,000 taxis. About 10 per cent of taxi traffic accidents have been caused while reversing.

The centre also introduced new strategies to promote and honour good driving behaviour on a monthly and annual basis.

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