Dubai Police’s dedicated e-scooter monitoring team has recognized a number of riders for their exemplary compliance with road safety regulations. These riders were awarded certificates and ‘scooter hero’ pins as a testament to their adherence to the rules.
The honored individuals were chosen based on their consistent use of e-scooters on the right paths, their wearing of helmets and reflective jackets, and making sure their scooters were equipped with functional lights and brakes.
Major-General Saif Muhair Al Mazroui, the director of the General Department of Traffic, remarked that the ‘scooter hero’ pin is intended to incentivize riders to abide by traffic laws.
This initiative comes in the wake of reports in October by Dubai Police that highlighted a concerning number of e-scooter related accidents with five fatalities and 29 injuries occurring this year. To enforce compliance, the police have issued over 10,000 fines for traffic violations by e-scooter riders within an eight-month period.
E-scooter users in Dubai can incur fines of up to Dh300 for behavior that poses risks to themselves or others. Police records indicate an average of approximately 1,250 fines were handed out monthly this year for misusing e-scooters.
The set of traffic safety rules for e-scooter users includes riding only on roads with speed limits under 60kmph, obeying traffic lights and signs, not carrying passengers, parking only in designated areas, dismounting at pedestrian crossings, and always riding in the direction of traffic.
Additionally, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) last month reminded riders that the speed limit on designated tracks in residential and beach areas is capped at 20kmph and that e-scooters should only be operated by individuals aged 16 and above.