JEDDAH, 2 June 2008 — For the first time, Dubai Police will use mobile video cameras to nab motorists who flaunt traffic rules. The system, which involves cameras being mounted on police patrol cars, will begin implementation next Sunday.
Fines will be issued in absentia, said Brig. Mohammed Saif Al-Zafeen, director of Dubai Traffic Police. He added that the cameras would be used to censor different traffic violations, such drivers speeding and using mobile phones while driving. He pointed out that cameras would be useful in penalizing motorists who do not drive on their lanes or change lanes without indicating.
Al-Zafeen said that during the first quarter of this year, police have issued more than 6,000 fines using the multimedia service (MMS) on mobile phones. He added that officers took digital pictures or videos of drivers who jump red signals or park their cars in places allocated for people with special needs.
He added that with the new system, offenders would be notified via SMS or email. They would also be informed of the time and type of their offence, and how much they would be fined.
Al-Zafeen said this is the first system of its kind in the world and is quick in catching offenders, because it saves the effort of issuing paper tickets. With this system, offenders are informed of their offence quickly, and photos or videos would be used as legal documents to prove violations.
