Sharjah: A campaign called ‘Be Careful when crossing the traffic light’, which warns motorists about the dangers of running red traffic lights, has been rolled out by Sharjah Police.
The Traffic and Patrol Department, along with the Department of Media and Public Relations at Sharjah Police, launched the campaign as a strategy tool by the Ministry of Interior to ensure road safety.
Brochures about the risks of jumping a red light are being distributed in both Arabic and English across Sharjah as part of the campaign.
Sharjah Police are urging drivers to avoid going through a traffic light when it turns amber as it also poses a risk for other cars.
Police have confirmed that traffic radars operate at all times of the day.
Sharjah Police recorded 5,435 violations of motorists jumping red lights this year, according to statistics released by Sharjah Police in November. The violations showed a decrease of 53 per cent compared to 11,616 violations in 2016.
Major Abdul Rahman Khatr, Director of the Traffic Awareness Branch at Sharjah Police, said this was one of the most serious traffic offences that often resulted in deaths or grave injuries.
Most of the violations recorded were a result of speeding and the drivers attempting to cross the junctions before the signal turned red.
Maj. Khatr said despite police warnings about the dangers of jumping the red light, drivers repeat the violations.
According to changes this year in the Federal Traffic Law, any driver who jumps a red signal is fined Dh1,000, given 12 black points, and their vehicle is impounded for 30 days.
The fine for heavy-vehicle drivers who run a red signal is Dh3,000 and the driver’s licence will be held for one year and he must pass new driving course to get the driving licence returned.
