A Gulf national has been sentenced to three months in prison, fined 2,000 AED, and had his driving licence revoked after being convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol for the third time. In addition to this, he was found to be using his mobile phone while driving at high speed, which resulted in him colliding with a stationary vehicle, a metal barrier, and a streetlight.
Details of the Incident
According to investigations by the Dubai Public Prosecution, the defendant failed to take into account road conditions and traffic regulations. His lack of sufficient distance while driving led to the crash with another vehicle, a metal barrier, and a streetlight, causing damage to property.
Charges and Evidence
Documents from the case revealed that the defendant was not only speeding but also using his phone while driving. The Public Prosecution described this behaviour as dangerous driving that placed both his life and the lives of others at risk. The court noted that the charges were substantiated by the police report, evidence gathered from the scene, and the defendant’s admission in court. It was emphasised that the presence of alcohol combined with visible symptoms or an actual incident is sufficient to prove driving under the influence, which poses a serious threat to lives and property.
Legal Proceedings and Sentencing
The court found the evidence presented in the case to be robust and sufficient to establish the charges, particularly the defendant’s confession that he was driving in an abnormal state, which led to the loss of control of the vehicle and the ensuing accident. Damage was caused not only to his own vehicle but also to the other vehicle involved, the barrier, and the streetlight. The court considered the first four charges to be interconnected and part of a single criminal objective, thus treating them as one offence. Consequently, the most severe penalty was applied to these charges, while the defendant was fined 2,000 AED for the fifth offence. The court ruled that the defendant would serve a three-month sentence for the first four offences and receive a fine for the fifth. Additionally, it ordered the revocation of his driving licence.