UAE ‘rubberneckers’ face hefty fines in police crackdown

Police in the UAE are giving out large fines to motorists who rubberneck at crash sites (Reuters)

DUBAI: UAE motorists need to resist the temptation to slow down and look at road accidents, especially if they intend to photograph it.
The warning comes after dozens of drivers received hefty fines for rubbernecking on the country’s roads, as new 1,000 dirham ($270) fines came into force.
Maj Gen Mohammed Saif Al-Zafeen, chairman of the Federal Traffic Council and assistant commander-in-chief of Dubai Police, slammed offenders, describing them to UAE daily The National as “reckless” and “irresponsible.”
“This act delays emergency vehicles in reaching the people in need after a traffic accident,” Al-Zafeen said.
Adding: “Every minute counts when there’s a motorist or a passenger injured… Rubbernecking motorists also caused several accidents recently. As the driver slows down, the person behind them crashes straight into them.”