Dubai Police ready for New Year celebrations

Dubai Police have put in a robust traffic plan to secure the Burj Khalifa area on New Year's Eve. (Photo: Donn …Dubai Police will be out in full force on the emirate's roads on Monday night, as thousands prepare to ring in the New Year.

Colonel Saif Muhair Al Mazroui, Deputy Director of Dubai Police Traffic Department, told UAE daily Gulf News that 400 police patrols and officers will monitor  celebrations in Bur Dubai and Deira.

Organisers are expecting more than a million visitors at the Downtown Dubai New Year’s Eve celebrations, which are the highlight of the night's festivities.

Only vehicles with prior permission will be allowed to enter the busy areas around Dubai Mall and Burj Khalifa and any cars that restrict traffic in these areas will be impounded.
 
“Any car will be impounded if found stopped on the side of main roads such as Shaikh Zayed Road for the driver and passenger to watch the fireworks and celebrations at Burj Khalifa,” Al Mazroui warned.

Procedures to secure the emirate for the night's celebrations will commence at 2pm this afternoon, the report said.

Motorists are urged to drive carefully especially in the key areas of Shaikh Zayed Road, Al Khail Road and Dubai Financial Centre bridge.

Traffic plan

A robust traffic plan including additional parking, road signage and public transport has been put in place to ensure smooth traffic through the night, website Emirates 24/7 reported.

“The traffic plan in place entails the provision of additional parking spaces, installation of directional signage, 24-hour operation of the metro, deployment of additional & feeder bus service, provision of bus-dedicated lanes, and addressing the needs of taxicabs,” Maitha bin Udai, CEO of RTA Traffic & Roads Agency was quoted as saying.

“The team has managed to provide 10,000 additional parking slots near the events venue including 2,000 parking spaces at the Trade Center, and 8,000 parking spaces at Meydan, while deploying shuttle bus service to lift the public to the events venue,” she added.

The Dubai Metro will be operating 24 hours and up to 132,000 passengers are expected to use the services, the report said.

In addition to feeder buses, the newly opened Metro walkway will allow visitors to access the Dubai Mall directly from the metro station.

Zero tolerance

As every year, police will exercise zero tolerance for those found driving while under the influence of alcohol.

Hotels have been instructed to restrict visitors from driving while drunk, Gulf News reported.

Traffic patrols will also be monitoring hotel areas to reduce congestion, the report said.