Use a phone while driving in Dubai and have car confiscated

DUBAI // Police on Wednesday backed calls for motorists caught using a phone while driving to have their cars confiscated. The existing penalty of a Dh200 fine and four black points is not tough enough, Dubai’s traffic police chief Col Saif Al Mazrouei said. “There should be harsher penalties, especially considering that using a mobile phone while driving can be more dangerous than driving under the influence of alcohol. “It has been recommended that the penalty increase to Dh1,000, 12 black points and vehicle confiscation for a period of 30 days.” The Federal Traffic Council has made the recommendation for increased penalties, but it is not yet law. Last year an average of 136 people a day were caught driving while on the phone in Dubai alone, and 140 people caught speeding by radar were using their phones while doing so.   The National