Police forces across country deploy more patrols and caution motorists and families

The police in all emirates have taken special safety and security measures to meet the expected rush on roads and in shopping areas and tourist spots in view of the Eid Al Fitr holidays.

The traffic departments have deployed additional patrols on roads and near shopping centres, parks and other public places to assist outdoor activities of holidaymakers. Additional policemen will be deployed near mosques and musallas during the first day of Eid to guide worshippers.

The police have urged motorists and holidaymakers to exercise utmost caution on roads and follow traffic rules to avoid mishaps that could mar the holidays.

The police in all emirates have asked people to call 999 if there is any kind of emergency.

In Abu Dhabi, the traffic police will be distributing candies, greeting cards and safety flyers among children enjoying the Eid festivities. According to the Capital’s police directorate, preparations have already been completed with special units tasked to monitor all public places frequented by the residents to celebrate Eid to ensure their safety.

“All police stations in the Capital have been put on alert to take emergency calls round the clock with their patrols deployed at all commercial centres and public places, including the Corniche where most residents prefer to spend their Eid holidays,” said Director Brigadier Maktoum Al Sharifi.

The officer advised parents to keep an eye on their children when they play in parks and on beaches. “Don’t let your children run away from you and get near the roads,” he advised.

In Dubai, the police will deploy 720 additional patrols in tourist spots during the holidays. They have intensified patrolling in crowded areas, especially markets, parks, hotels, and beaches.

Brigadier Khalil Ibrahim Al Mansouri, Director of the General Department of Criminal Investigation, urged the people to exercise caution and comply with all instructions along the roads and beaches so as not to turn the joy of holidays into grief.

Home safety: He asked the people who are going abroad on holidays to register their names and addresses of their houses free of charge for the home safety service provided by the police.

Crackers, knives: He also cautioned parents against letting their children burst firecrackers which could harm them as well as others and disturb sleeping children. He urged families to keep a watch on children so that they do not play with firearms and sharp objects like knives when the others are in the midst of festivities.

Traffic safety: The General Department of Traffic in Dubai has prepared a comprehensive plan to reduce traffic accidents during the holidays. According to Colonel Saif Muhair Al Mazroui, Acting Director of the department, policemen would be deployed in areas where heavy traffic is expected and accidents happen frequently.

The department will distribute congratulatory cards to the public for safe practices, instead of issuing traffic fines for small offences, starting from the first day of Eid. He called on the public not to disturb these happy days which have social and religious values.

The police in Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah and Ajman have also intensified patrolling for facilitating the expected heavy traffic on roads and maintaining safety of people during the holidays.

Colonel Sultan Al Khayal, Director of Public Relations and Moral Guidance of the Ajman Police, said the patrols have already started monitoring the markets and shopping areas The police have also launched inspections in the markets to prevent thefts and pickpocketing and catch hooligans.

Colonel Shaikh Sultan Al Nuaimi, Deputy Chief of the Ajman Police, urged the motorists and those visiting the emirate to be careful while driving in mountainous areas and visiting valleys and low-lying areas and going to the sea.

Brigadier Mohammed Ahmed bin Ghanim Al Kaabi, Commander-in-Chief of the Fujairah Police, held a meeting of directors and heads departments and police stations at his office recently to discuss the arrangements for the Eid holidays.

“All police stations in Fujairah are well prepared and ready to cope with all eventualities and provide services and assistance to the public,” he reiterated, and urged motorists and visitors to exercise extra caution while driving on roads running through the mountainous areas, terrains and low-lying areas.

Lest you forget

Here are some safety tips and measures people could take to avoid accidents, delays and protect the public places when they are out enjoying the holidays:

The first thumb rule is behave: behave well always and everywhere
Check whether all documents are in order if you are going abroad
Plan journey route well
Check safety of vehicles before long trips
Inform police about your long absence from home
Watch children to prevent dangerous practices like playing with crackers and knives, drifting into streets while families enjoy festivities
Don’t litter parks and tourist spots; keep a bag with you to collect wastes and deposit in trash bins when you leave the area
Report miscreants to police; never try to handle them yourselves



On the road

Follow traffic rules, pay attention to roads
Avoid dangerous practices like speeding, reckless driving, using phone while driving and jumping signals
Slow down in crowded and residential areas
Give way, swallow pride and avoid road rage