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Abu Dhabi plans modernization
Abu Dhabi plans to have an ultra-modern transport infrastructure in place by 2030 to accommodate the emirate's rapid expansion plans and avoid traffic woes, reported Arab News. The authority plans to build high-speed passenger and freight railways, a metro and a network of light rail lines, streetcars and buses to deal with the emirate's rising population, which is expected to triple to 3.1 million by 2030.
UAE car sales to grow 23%
The UAE market for new cars has experienced double digit growth over the past five years, and will grow by 23% in the next three years, reported Gulf News. Michel Ayat, CEO of Arabian Automobiles, said sales of new cars could exceed 260,000 this year, and will be over 320,000 units by 2010. Ayat also predicted sales of small and medium sports utility vehicles to grow by over 45% this year.
Auto output up in Iran
Car plants in Iran rolled out 453,209 new vehicles between April 21 and August 22, an 8% increase when compared to the same period last year, reported the Iran Daily. The figure includes minibuses, trucks and pick-ups. The Pride Saba and Pride Nasim registered the highest production figures among cars, with a combined total of more than 170,000.
Iran may sue Peugeot
Iran's government is looking into the possibility of claiming compensation from the French auto maker Peugeot due to a large number of its 405 model catching fire and subsequently killing around 150 people, reported the Iran Daily. It is believed the fires were caused by a fault in the vehicle's fuel system. The Peugeot 405 is manufactured locally, under licence, by Iran Khodro; the story first appeared last December.
Al Ittihad Rd violations
Motorists using the Al Ittihad Road to commute between Sharjah and Dubai have called on the police to control lane violations, reported Gulf News. A number of drivers are using the hard shoulder as an extra lane in order to beat the morning gridlock. The start of the new school year earlier this month and a large number of road diversions have exacerbated the regular Dubai bound traffic snarls.
Rolls Royce unveils convertible
Rolls-Royce has unveiled the new Phantom Drophead Coupe for the first time in the Middle East, presented by the company's official importer in Qatar, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Doha. The two-door, four-seater convertible combines the latest in light-weight engineering technology with the finest hand-crafted materials. It features several unique design options, like a stainless steel bonnet and teak decking inspired by sailing yachts.
Cash beats the car pound
Dubai is now allowing traffic violators who have their cars impounded to pay to release their vehicles early, reported Dubai's Express newspaper. Under the new scheme, motorists can release their cars by paying Dhs100 for each day of confiscation. Dubai enacted new traffic laws on 17 September that call for stiffer penalties for traffic violations, but it is now running out of space for confiscated cars.
New e-service for Salik
Motorists in Dubai will now be able to recharge their Salik accounts online by visiting the website www.salik.ae, reported Gulf News. The service allows users to add more credit to their Salik account through credit card, e-dirham or direct debt from the user's bank account. The minimum recharge amount is Dh50.
No escape from traffic fines
Motorists who disobey traffic laws while visiting another Gulf country may face fines when they return home, reported Emirates Today. Police in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and Oman are linking up their traffic and licensing computer networks to create a database that will allow them to check the records of drivers from anywhere in the GCC and track down offenders.
Ajman to get paid parking system
A paid parking system will soon be implemented in the UAE emirate Ajman to help reduce traffic bottlenecks due to improper parking, reported Khaleej Times. No specific date was given for roll out of the plan, which would be introduced on the main roads like Shaikh Rashid bin Humaid Road and Shaikh Khalifa Road and the Corniche.
BMW's new windshield display
BMW has developed a new technology that displays key information on the windshield directly in the driver's natural field of vision, eliminating the need to look down at the instrument panel. The Head-Up Display uses a projector and mirrors positioned behind the dashboard to produce an optical effect, making a virtual image appear just above the bonnet. The driver can choose to view vehicle speed, navigation directions, preferred cruising speeds, and the distance to be maintained to the vehicle ahead.
AD car thieves seized
A Dubai based gang consisting of four Asians and three Latin Americans has been arrested by Abu Dhabi Police after carrying out a string of thefts of luxury cars, reported Gulf News. The gang targeted four wheel drive cars in exclusive residential areas of Abu Dhabi and then shipped the vehicles to other countries. On arrest, the gang had stolen vehicles worth around $270,000 in its possession.
Slow Dubai drivers face fines
Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has said speed guns will soon be used to catch motorists who violate the minimum speed limit, reported Gulf News. The RTA brought in a minimum speed limit of 60kph on roads with a maximum speed limit of 100kph or above in May but no violators have as yet been caught. Action will only be taken if slow drivers are directly impeding traffic flow.
Saudi women want to drive
A group of Saudi women is set to petition the government on September 23, Saudi National Day, requesting the right to drive cars, reported Arab News. The petition has been circulated on various websites and the women are seeking signatures from people around the world. Although there is no law prohibiting women from driving, Islamic scholars in the kingdom have said the practice would bring women into contact with unrelated men.
15 pilgrims killed in Saudi
15 pilgrims, including seven Egyptians, five Bangladeshis, one Saudi and two people of as yet unknown origin, were killed in two road accidents that took place yesterday, Friday, in Saudi Arabia, reported Arab News. Eight people were killed when a bus carrying 51 pilgrims overturned after hitting a barrier 60 kilometres southwest of Medina. Meanwhile, the seven Egyptians died when their bus hit a food truck near Yanbu.
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