Monday 19/01/2009
Installation of 'smart radars' aims to reduce accidents
Next time you think of pressing your foot a little more on the accelerator, think twice: smart radars will be monitoring you.
These new radars are part of Dubai Police ongoing strategies to reduce the number of traffic accidents.
"There are 500 radars now and by the end of this year, they will have been increased to over 1,000 and distributed to all commercial and residential areas," said Captain Ali Mohammad Belrashid, from Dubai Police General Headquarters.
The traffic department recently installed the new radars known as "beams" on many different roads, including Shaikh Zayed Road and along Al Khail Road.
"These radars are unique because they can monitor when a vehicle is jumping a traffic signal or driven on the hard shoulder," said Captain Belrashid, adding that they do not flash when catching offenders.
The gadget is also able to detect vehicles as far as 150 metres away as well as covering several lanes of traffic.
The announcement was made on the sidelines of the Intersec trade fair that was inaugurated yesterday by Shaikh Majid Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, Ambassador of the Dubai Cares for School Campaign and Chairman of Noor Dubai.
Captain Belrashid pointed out that the number of speeding deaths in Dubai has already decreased from 373 in 2007 to 40 in 2008. This year so far, there has not been any reports of deaths occasioned by jumping the red light signal.
To continue the success of reducing traffic deaths, police are introducing a video camera equipped with portable radar, which is placed on the roof of a police car.
"The video camera is connected to the Command and Control Room so that they can pinpoint the patrol's exact location and instantly see its surroundings," said Lieutenant Abdul Basit Al Amoudi, Command and Control Centre, Dubai Police.
(Dubai Police)
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