With an alarmingly high number of motorists in the UAE tailgating, it is time to come down heavily on erring drivers. To drive a vehicle too close to the one in front significantly increases the risk of a rear-end collision. Several expert and scientific studies have confirmed that tailgating is a contributing factor in nearly one third of all car crashes. When someone follows the car in front too closely, the amount of time that a driver takes to react — in the event of a sudden brake or emergency — decreases. This often results in fatal crashes.
Time and again authorities in Dubai have stressed that motorists must drive at a speed that allows them to stop safely in case of slow-moving traffic. Leaving enough space between two automobiles is a sure-fire way to avoid crashes. Since large automobiles require a greater distance to stop, drivers of big cars must leave an even larger distance. This should also be borne in mind during bad weather (rain, fog, dust storm etc), since tyre traction and poor visibility can result in accidents.
Dubai Police’s latest initiative, ‘We Are All Policemen’ is a welcome step in this regard. Motorists who are tailgated or cut in by reckless drivers at high speeds have been asked to report dangerous driving immediately by pulling over to the roadside and phoning in the licence plates of the offending vehicles on 901 (non-emergency number). Cameras installed on most Dubai roads will assist police personnel to ascertain if the offence happened or not. While the programme is expected to highlight and tackle the consequences of tailgating, it will also go a long way to curb dangerous offences that lead to fatalities.
