Brigadier Jumaa Salem bin Suwidan, Director of the General Directorate of Traffic at Dubai Police General Command, has revealed that the number of smart radar devices operating on the emirate's roads has reached 150, since the system was first introduced in 2020, stressing that these devices represent a fundamental pillar in securing road safety, achieving fatality-reduction targets, and enhancing traffic safety.
He said that the smart radars are not limited to detecting speeding violations, but also monitor a range of violations and dangerous behaviours, including stopping in the middle of the road without justification, failure to maintain a mandatory lane, sudden swerving, failure to give way to pedestrians, as well as using a mobile phone while driving, not wearing a seatbelt, not maintaining a sufficient safe distance, and obstructing traffic flow.
Brigadier bin Suwidan explained that the first phase of operating the smart devices saw a rise in the proportion of violations recorded by them, before that proportion began to gradually decline — a result he said demonstrates the success of the initiative and the compliance of a large number of road users with traffic regulations and rules.
He affirmed that the General Directorate of Traffic holds annual and periodic statistics for each category of violation, alongside conducting periodic comparisons to measure the impact of smart radars on reducing dangerous violations, traffic accidents, and serious injuries.
He added that the General Directorate of Traffic has indicators and targets linked to reducing fatalities and technically securing road safety, and that smart radars are a fundamental pillar in achieving those goals and indicators, in addition to their role in changing driver behaviour and reinforcing compliance with seatbelt use, avoiding mobile phone use while driving, and maintaining safe distances between vehicles.
He noted that the directorate's annual plans aim to cover all hotspot areas across the emirate, with priority given to areas that are identified or receive complaints regarding wrong practices and dangerous behaviours by some drivers and road users.
He also indicated that the directorate coordinates with real estate development companies to cover areas under their jurisdiction, including residential communities, commercial areas, and tourist zones that receive complaints related to certain drivers engaging in wrong behaviours and causing disturbance to residents and visitors to commercial and tourist areas.
Regarding the safety of delivery motorcycle riders, Brigadier bin Suwidan confirmed that Dubai Police, represented by the General Directorate of Traffic, is committed to raising their awareness on a regular basis, through the traffic awareness team visiting their locations and organising educational workshops and direct awareness lectures to promote a culture of road safety.
He explained that awareness messages directed at delivery motorcycle riders currently focus on adhering to specified speed limits, wearing protective safety equipment, not using a mobile phone while driving, following the correct lane, and maintaining a sufficient safe distance.
He affirmed that Dubai Police continuously works to develop the safety system for delivery motorcycles by leveraging smart technologies, including monitoring systems and smart cameras, to enhance compliance with traffic laws and reduce dangerous behaviours.