UMM AL QUWAIN // More than 60 drivers in UAQ have had their licences withheld by police since the start of the year.
Sixty-six motorists were temporarily stripped of their right to drive for offences including jumping red lights, using mobile phones while driving and exceeding the maximum number of 24 black points, said Major Saeed Obaid Al Aran, the director of traffic and patrol department at UAQ police.
"Those who accumulated the maximum number of black points had their licences withheld for three months."
Maj Al Aran warned that repeat offenders face having their driving bans increased.
Police in the emirate announced the bans as part of a month-long traffic safety awareness campaign aimed at reducing accidents on the roads.
Maj Al Aran said there had been 1,223 accidents, major and minor, in UAQ since the start of the year.
The main offences included exceeding speed limits, using mobile phones while driving and not fastening seat belts, he added.
Traffic officers will be distributing leaflets to motorists in several languages, including English, Arabic and Urdu, as well as taking part in popular talk shows on local radio to urge motorists to take care while driving in the emirate.
