DUBAI — Driving licence of motorists who jump traffic signals causing road accidents in Dubai will be cancelled, said Dr Jamal Mohammed Khalifa Al Merri, Acting Commander-in-Chief of the Dubai Police, adding that issuance of a fresh licence to the violators would entail tough testing procedures.

The decision comes in the wake of His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai's instructions to crack down on reckless drivers who fail to comply with the traffic laws, endanger people's lives and cause traffic congestion on Dubai roads, Al Merri said.

He said the Dubai Police have intensified its traffic patrols on different roads. Two police teams will be working during the morning and evening time to monitor the roads. In addition, the number of traffic police patrols and vehicles have been doubled as well as several new traffic devices will also be installed for closer monitoring of the roads. The number of mobile radars had been doubled and was expected to touch 70 by the end of 2007, Al Merri said.

He said all traffic intersections would be electronically monitored by radars and digital cameras and number of points would be determined by traffic police in different areas and roads for installing radars. “The Dubai Police have the right to take action against reckless drivers and to transfer them to the Dubai Public prosecution and court for strict action.”

He warned motorists who ignore safety measures that the Dubai Police campaigns will not be limited only to working hours or during traffic safety campaigns, but will be round-the-clock throughout the year.

The Dubai Police had recorded the highest violations recently pertaining to lane changing causing dangerous road accidents and traffic jams, he added.

During the intensive traffic campaign organised during Eid Al Fitr holidays (October 23 to 28), 467 traffic violations were recorded, vehicle modification without permission called for 100 tickets, 99 tickets for parking on sidewalks were issued, obstructing traffic flow registered 88 tickets, not presenting driving licence when required registered 31 tickets, parking of vehicles in parking for special needs received 25 tickets, expired licence 18 tickets, reckless driving 12 tickets, driving a vehicle without number plate 11 tickets, driving vehicle emitting excessive noise 51

tickets, jumping the traffic signal and non compliance of lane discipline two tickets, in addition 21 other traffic violations.

Al Merri said that the radars installed by the Dubai Police had positive effect as they recorded 111,754 violations during the last year compared to 554,900 during the year 2004, 352,362 in 2003, 421.732 in 2002, whereas the speeding violations recorded during the last four years reached 2,831,105.

He said that the Dubai Police had taken steps to support the radars and to install them on roads which witness fatal traffic accidents and speeding violations such as highways and the department had also determined the points which  needed more radars.

"Due to the doubling of radars we expect the increase in number of over speeding violations. The mobile radars will be installed before and after the fixed ones to ensure the traffic flow.