ABU DHABI // Police have repeated warnings to motorists not to drive too close to the car in front, sound their horn or flash headlights to intimidate drivers to change lanes.
“I urge drivers to keep a safe distance from other vehicles, stick to the speed limits and abide by the traffic laws,” said Lt Col Jamal Al Ameri of Abu Dhabi Police’s Traffic and Patrols Directorate.
Last year, 227 accidents caused by tailgating killed 22 and severely injured 16 in Abu Dhabi. Of 2,975 accidents in Dubai, 57 were a result of tailgating.
Most crashes take place in the morning rush hour when motorists do not keep a safe distance, Lt Col Al Ameri said.
There should be a minimum of three seconds between each car, said Glenn Havinoviski, a transport expert in Abu Dhabi.
“On a highway at a 120kph speed, that should be no closer than two car lengths, and even further if you are behind a lorry.”
This month, Abu Dhabi Police launched the campaign Your Fate is Measured by Your Distance on UAE Together's Facebook and Twitter accounts. It targets reckless drivers.
Sarah Brooks, 41, a UAE Traffic Safety Ambassador, said: “Those who tailgate seem to have no comprehension of the stopping distances of their car, never mind the car in front.
“They are the reason there are regular and frequent nose-to-tail accidents in traffic – motorists drive too close and too fast.”
Khaled Al Mansoori, chief executive at Emirates Driving Company, said radar cameras were identifying more traffic violations.
Simon Labbett, regional director of Transport Research Laboratory, said: “There are automated gap detection devices that can be used, similar to a speed camera but in this case, they issue tickets for close following.”
Drivers incur Dh400 fines and four licence points for tailgating.
rruiz@thenational.ae
