Abu Dhabi (Aletihad)
The Traffic and Patrols Directorate at the Abu Dhabi Police General Headquarters (GHQ) has implemented a field campaign focused on enhancing road-safety awareness among users of motorbikes, e-bikes, and bicycles in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.
The campaign includes displaying films on traffic awareness and distributing awareness-raising pamphlets under the title “Advice and Guidance” to users of motorbikes and scooters. The pamphlets featured a barcode that can be scanned with a smartphone, directing users to a video that urges drivers to abide by traffic laws and regulations related to road safety, and displaying digital films on traffic awareness.
Deputy Director of the Traffic and Patrol Directorate for the Central Operations Sector, General Mahmoud Youssef Al Balushi, explained that the awareness-raising efforts come within the framework of the first nationwide quarterly campaign in 2024 for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, titled “Safe Driving for Bikers”.
Al Balushi stressed the importance of adhering to the requirements governing the use of electric scooters. While manual and electric scooters are authorised for use in Abu Dhabi, electric bikes with a passenger seat are not, he said.
He noted the importance of enhancing traffic awareness and abiding by road safety instructions and guidelines to safeguard lives and property and reduce the incidence of accidents and serious injuries.
He further urged bikers to comply with safety and security requirements, reduce their driving speed in crowded areas, and drive only in permitted lanes and shared-use paths for pedestrians, bicycles, and e-bikes.
The campaign also included distributing gifts, including safety gear (helmets, protective guards for hands and legs, and high-visibility vests), in addition to raising the awareness on the importance of riding electric bikes exclusively in permitted areas and wearing protective gear.
The Abu Dhabi Civil Defence Authority assisted in the campaign, discussing cases of non-compliance of wearing protective gear, and providing guidance and advice on the use of first aid in various scenarios.
The Traffic and Patrols Directorate also called on users of electric bikes to commit to six major rules to maintain their safety and that of others, including wearing a protective helmet and a high-visibility vest, driving in designated lanes, adhering to speed limits, not overloading their bikes with passengers or heavy weight that might cause them to lose their balance, avoiding the use of earphones, and respecting traffic signals and rules.