Abu Dhabi Police recorded a total of 130 accidents in the emirate during the month of Ramadan, a drop from the 165 incidents during the same period last year.

The statistics, issued by the Traffic and Patrols Directorate at the Directorate General of Central Operations at the Abu Dhabi Police, also revealed that the death rates witnessed from the various types of accidents also decreased, down from the 25 deaths last year during Ramadan to a total of 17 this year.

Colonel Hamad Mubarak bin Athath Al Ameri, head of the Capital’s Traffic Department at the Abu Dhabi Police Traffic and Patrols Directorate attributed the decrease to the efforts of the concerned authorities, and most notably, to their efforts in intensifying control and increasing traffic awareness.

The decision to ban trucks from entering Abu Dhabi during peak times also contributed to reducing traffic accidents alongside the cooperation of the public and help of various charities in providing Iftar meals and beverages to motorists in a bid to prevent drivers from speeding, he said.

According to Colonel Al Ameri, the main causes of traffic accidents throughout Ramadan were due to failure to leave a sufficient distance between vehicles, precarious lane changes, neglectfulness and lack of paying attention, running red lights, speeding, and among others, failure to consider the road conditions.

He stressed the importance of complying with traffic laws and regulations, driving carefully, keeping a safe  distance between vehicles, avoiding blocking traffic due to haphazardly parking in public parking spaces.

He warned them against parking in spaces dedicated to people with special needs, and not to park in spaces designated for civil defense or ambulance and rescue teams, as this will hinder their abilities during emergency situations.

He additionally urged motorists to avoid using their mobile phones while driving, whether to talk, SMS, or chat. - TradeArabia News Service