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UAE: 75% of drivers use mobile phones on the road

Source: Middle East Insurance Review | Jan 2017

An alarming 75% of drivers in the UAE admit to using their phones to make calls or check their messages while behind the wheel, a survey indicates.
 
   Only 26% of the 1,033 motorists polled across the country said they never used their mobile phones while driving, with the rest admitting to using hands-free kits or holding their phones.
 
   Of drivers whose cars have hands-free devices, only 75% said they actually used them, reported The National.
 
   Mr Thomas Edelmann, the founder of Road Safety UAE, said that he viewed the data – from a YouGov survey commissioned by Road Safety UAE and QIC Insured in August – alarming.
 
   “Distracted driving is among the top causes of accidents, injuries and death on roads and the use of mobile phones behind the wheel is one of the major sources of distraction,” he said.
 
   The findings prompted Abu Dhabi Police to again warn that it is illegal to use mobiles while driving. The penalty is AED200 (US$54.45) and four black points to the culprit’s licence.
 
   Colonel Jamal Al Ameri of Abu Dhabi Traffic Police said: “Today, drivers do not use their mobile phones to call, but to check WhatsApp messages, email and other mobile phone apps that take their eyes off the road.”
 
   He urged motorists to refrain from using phones, as a loss of concentration can lead to serious accidents.
 
   Mr Frederik Bisbjerg, Regional Executive Vice President of QIC Insured, said: “For UAE’s motorists, we have a very clear message: when driving, put your mobile phone on silent mode and put it away.
 
   “No call or message can be so important as to endanger your own safety, the safety of your passengers and the safety of others around you.”
 
AED1 = US$0.27
 
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