Deaths and injuries caused by road accidents in the UAE during the first ten months of the year decreased 4.9 per cent and 5.1 per cent respectively, according to recent statistics.

 

The statistics from Traffic Coordination Directorate General at the Ministry of Interior said that road accidents that occurred in the same period this year dropped three per cent compared to the same period last year, despite the increase in the number of registered vehicles in the country this year compared to previous years.

 

It showed that the total number of deaths recorded in the first ten months of the year was 560 compared to 589 during the same period last year. 

 

The total number of injuries resulting from traffic accidents recorded during the first ten months of the year amounted to 5,606 compared to 5,909 during the same time period last year.

 

A total of 3,935 traffic accidents were reported across the UAE in the first ten months of this year, which is three per cent less than last year, which witnessed 4,058 traffic accidents during the same time period, a decrease of 123 accidents.

 

Brigadier Ghaith Hassan Al Zaabi, director general of the Traffic Coordination Department at the Ministry of Interior, attributed the decrease in traffic accidents and the related deaths and injuries to the efficiency of the measures adopted by the Ministry and the efforts of the police general headquarters and Traffic and Patrols departments and directorates across the country. 

 

“These efforts are in line with the Ministry’s efforts to improve traffic safety, and create a safe traffic environment according to international standards in this field,” he said.

 

Moreover, statistics released by the Traffic Coordination Directorate General indicated that sudden swerving was the key reason behind traffic accidents in the first ten months of the year, and accounted for 765 accidents, that is 19.44 per cent of the total number of accidents. 

 

Failure to maintain a sufficient safe distance between vehicles ranked second, and caused 13.01 per cent of accidents, with 512 accidents reported; followed by misjudgment of road users with 456 accidents, amounting to 11.59 per cent of accidents. Lack of attention and neglect ranked fourth and resulted in 410 accidents, or 10.42 per cent.

 

“Failure to comply with lane rules caused 333 accidents; entering a road without making sure it is clear resulted in 291 accidents; while over speeding, driving under the influence of alcohol, jumping the red light, and not giving the priority to pedestrians caused 228, 226, 197 and 89 accidents respectively. The first ten months of the year also registered 428 accidents due to other reasons,” added Brigadier Al Zaabi.

 

He noted that the ministry is availing of all available resources, in co-operation with the various Traffic and Patrols Directorates across the UAE, as well other entities concerned with traffic safety in the public and private sectors, which support these purposeful initiatives aimed at providing accidents-free roads, in co-operation with all departments and establishments, as well as various segments of community and others public and private entities concerned with traffic safety, to create a safe environment, accident-free roads and to reduce traffic accidents and their resulting human and material losses. 

 

“Addressing traffic issues is a shared responsibility that requires concerted efforts by all sectors of society,” he added.

 

Meanwhile, the director general of the Traffic Coordination Department called upon motorists and road users to abide by the traffic rules and regulations to ensure their own safety and the safety of other road users and to avoid traffic accidents that may result in injuries or loss of life and property. - TradeArabia News Service