Dubai: People suffering from illnesses or diseases that may affect their driving ability have been advised to inform about their condition to license-issuing authorities.
The Federal Traffic Council (FTC), has issued the new recommendation in the light of a horrific accident in which a man crashed into a McDonalds in Ajman, killing two and injuring five, including children, reported Gulf News.
The man allegedly suffered from an epileptic seizure when he was attempting to park his car, lost control and drove into the fast food outlet, the report said.
Major General Mohammad Saif Al Zafein, Head of the FTC and Assistant to the Dubai Police Chief for Operations Affairs, reportedly said: “Every person seeking a driver’s licence should declare any illnesses that can affect their ability to drive and wait for the authority to find them a solution.”
As for people who are diagnosed after receiving their driver’s license, he reportedly said, they should come forward and declare their condition, and sign an undertaking that they take full responsibility in case of an accident.
“Medical authorities in the country should also work with licence-issuing authorities and provide them with a list of names of people with medical conditions that can affect their driving abilities,” he was quoted as saying.
Some of the conditions that would require declaration include epilepsy and diabetes.
“The person who is suffering from such a condition or the person’s guardians should access the situation and if they see that the condition could impair the driver, they should avoid driving, as it is the responsible thing to do,” Al Zafein reportedly said.
He was quoted as saying, although the man in the Ajman incident claimed that he was having a seizure, there is no way — even medically — to prove that.
Non-citizens leaving the country, even on vacation, will have to pay their traffic fines before being allowed out of the country, another recommendation stated.
This, Maj Gen Al Zafein said, is to reduce the number of unpaid traffic fines. “There will be a way for people to pay at all ports, so they do not get delayed. This is not to discriminate but because a few non-abiding residents leave the country and never return and their fines are left unpaid. Emiratis are bound to come back the UAE and that is why there is no need for this measure.”
In an attempt to raise awareness among motorists who are frequently involved in traffic incidents or repeatedly fined, the FTC recommended that traffic departments across the UAE call these motorists in and hold awareness sessions for them, reported Gulf News.
