JUMA AL NUAIMI (ABU DHABI)
Brigadier Ahmed Al-Sam Al-Naqbi, head of the Traffic Awareness and Safety Team at the Federal Traffic Council (FTC), has confirmed the continuation of various traffic initiatives, including the recently launched “Accident-Free Day” campaign by the Ministry of Interior (MoI). This initiative coincides with the start of the new school year and aims to ensure safe mobility through modern traffic systems, safeguarding all members of society, especially school students and their parents.
Brigadier Al-Naqbi highlighted that these activities enhance engagement on “Back to School Day”. The MoI has been proactive in launching traffic campaigns and initiatives to instil a culture of traffic safety and encourage adherence to traffic laws.
The “Accident-Free Day” campaign, now in its second year, has shown positive results, with traffic statistics indicating high compliance among drivers.
“According to traffic reports and patrols stationed near schools, we found that many people are paying attention to this traffic initiative. Additionally, individuals with no black traffic points view this day as an exceptional one,” said Brigadier Al-Naqbi.
This year, the FTC provided an opportunity to register for the initiative from August 12 to August 26. Participants with traffic points could register on the Ministry’s website, commit to the initiative, and receive a message and certificate from the MoI, provided they did not commit any traffic violations during this period.
Successful participants had four traffic points removed from their records.
Brigadier Al-Naqbi explained that severe traffic violations or black points, totalling 24 black points, could lead to the revocation of a driver’s licence, with penalties escalating from a three-month suspension for the first offense, six months for the second to a one-year suspension for the third offence. The licence is only returned after completing a traffic course.
The “Accident-Free Day” initiative saw significant participation from both citizens and residents, with many drivers adhering to traffic laws. Brigadier Al-Naqbi urged all members of society to comply with the initiative to foster a culture of traffic safety and create a generation educated about traffic laws and the importance of avoiding violations.