ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates — Abu Dhabi Police are warning motorists that even a moment of distraction behind the wheel can lead to serious crashes and costly penalties.
The Traffic and Patrols Directorate at the Central Operations Sector issued the warning in an awareness campaign that used footage from real traffic accidents to underscore the risks of taking attention off the road.
Police said the message is especially important in slow-moving traffic, where drivers may wrongly assume that lower speeds reduce the danger. Officials said sudden braking and unexpected changes in traffic flow can still trigger rear-end collisions.
Mobile phone use was singled out as one of the most common causes of dangerous driving behavior. Police said browsing the internet, checking social media, making calls, taking photos and other unrelated tasks all increase the risk of a crash.
Authorities said the warning is part of a broader effort with the Monitoring and Control Centre to encourage safer driving habits and reduce preventable accidents.
Under UAE traffic regulations, drivers caught engaging in distractions while driving face a Dh800 fine and four black points on their license.
Police urged motorists to stay alert, watch traffic conditions closely and avoid any activity that pulls attention away from the road. Officials said distraction is preventable, and preventing it can save lives.
