Daijiworld Media Network - Abu Dhabi (SHP)

Abu Dhabi, Dec 29: Abu Dhabi Police issued a Traffic warning to motorists on Friday against the use of mobile phones, one of the most prime causes of accidents.

In a statement issued on social media, the Abu Dhabi Police warned motorists against using their mobile phones while driving - for their safety and the safety of others.

The post specifically discouraged playing games on the mobile while on the road. If any person is found not following the law, the violators will be liable to pay a fine of Dh800 fine and will be slapped four black points.

As per an online survey conducted by the Ministry of Interior, mobile phones were the major cause of accidents.

In the survey, 71.4 per cent of the respondents chose the use of mobile phones while driving as the main reason drivers are being distracted on the roads while 17.7 per cent said it was attending to children. Eating and drinking were chosen as a distraction by 10.9 per cent of the respondents.

The traffic authorities had recorded 88,619 mobile phone violations committed by drivers across the UAE in 2018 - an average of 243 offences per day.

A 2018 report states that 59 people in 438 accidents lost their lives because of distraction while driving. Traffic law bans drivers from texting, taking photos, eating or even applying makeup while driving.