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Dubai: Deaths in traffic accidents declined by 14 per cent in the first six months of this year compared to the same period last year, according to statistics from traffic authorities.
Statistics show that 135 people were killed in traffic accidents from the beginning of this year until the end of June, well below the 157 people killed in last year's first half.
Deadly highways
Brigadier Mohammad Saif Al Zafein, Director of the Dubai Police Traffic Department, said earlier that the decline in fatalities was the result of strict traffic control procedures enforced by the police.
Traffic authorities are focusing on young drivers since they are the ones involved in most of the fatal accidents.
According to statistics, motorists with driving experience of less than one year caused the deaths of 16 people, while motorists with driving experience of at least one year caused the deaths of 25 people.
The Emirates Ring Road was the most dangerous in the first six months of this year.
It was the scene of 22 deaths in six months, while Shaikh Zayed Road followed it closely with 20 deaths, according to the statistics.
Causes
Statistics also revealed that run-over accidents killed 56 pedestrians, while collisions killed 51 people.
Other accidents included overturn accidents which killed 10 people and other accidents killed 18 people.
The reasons behind traffic accidents in the first six months varied with lack of consideration for road users topping the list with 50 deaths, followed by speeding which claimed 30 lives.
Other reasons included sudden swerving, entering the road without making sure it is clear, recklessness, driving under the influence of alcohol, failure to leave enough space between vehicles and jumping red lights.
Accident: Youth killed in three-vehicle collision
A young man was killed in a road accident involving three cars on Lehbab-Hatta Road on Saturday evening.
Police said the man in his twenties was driving a four-wheel drive vehicle and was racing with another sport utility vehicle.
As a result of speeding and losing control on the wheel, the two vehicles crashed into each other. One of the cars swerved and hit a third car. Police said the two vehicles flipped over several times in the impact of the collision.
The driver of one of the vehicles identified as S.R. sustained serious injuries. He was airlifted to the hospital, but died after three hours due to his injuries.
Dubai Police's Land Rescue and Difficult Missions teams arrived at the scene and used hydraulic equipment to extricate the injured S.R. out of the car.
Have your say
Are you surprised by this report? Do you see a marked improvement in driving behaviour? Tell us by using the comments form below.
Your comments
Not much has changed in the existing drivers' selfish manner of driving. The consequence of dangerous and hazardous driving should be broadcast in all languages, all media, graphically illustrating to reckless and selfish drivers what the consequences of their behavior would (not could), result in. These drivers should realise that no one is immune to injury or oven death resulting from road "accidents" and that no driver owns the road - regardless of where you come from. If all of us have assumed some form of responsibility from a young age, it could not be that difficult to accept a new responsibility as grown-ups. There is nothing to be proven by driving recklessly. Please start acting responsibly, not for your sake, but for the sake of innocent families and children.
John
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 23, 2007, 14:13
Traffic has improved since last year. Drivers are less aggressive due to the strict traffic rules. But there should be stricter traffic fines for the youth as they are the most reckless of the lot.
Johnson
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 23, 2007, 13:45
I have noticed no improvement on Shaikh Zayed road. Why not use some of the money generated from Salik to employ extra police patrols on our highways? The police need to act to stop the idiots who weave through traffic at ridiculous speeds often missing other cars by millimetres. The police do nothing at all about this.
John
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 23, 2007, 13:22
What is very important is lane discipline. Many drivers cut in without warning and at the wrong point, causing accidents. Also taxis should be assigned specific passenger pickup/drop locations to stop.
Nalin
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 23, 2007, 12:57
We should not say that accidents are solely the driver's fault. Even pedestrians ignore traffic rules. They do not use pedestrian crossings when crossing the road.
Shabnam
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: July 23, 2007, 11:20
What is lacking on the roads of the UAE is common courtesy. Most traffic congestions and accidents are caused by drivers who want to get ahead of other road users by cutting corners or should I say, cutting lanes which then will slow down the flow of traffic and cause accidents. We all want to reach our destinations swiftly and safely, however, it should not be done at the expense of other road users.
Mency
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 23, 2007, 10:40
I have noticed no significant change in drivers' behaviour on the road. We often find impatient drivers. Speeding is still one of the main causes of road accidents.
Raj
Fujairah,UAE
Posted: July 23, 2007, 10:14
Many of the youngsters do not use indicators when they drive. Such drivers should be punished properly.
Anil
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 23, 2007, 09:40
The main reason for most accidents is the carelessness of drivers. Once they are behind the wheel of an SUV or high powered car, they tend to ignore other drivers. They should change this attitude.
Thomas
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 23, 2007, 09:36
Traffic has improved since last year. Drivers are less aggressive due to the strict traffic rules. But there should be stricter traffic fines for the youth as they are the most reckless of the lot.
Fadia
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 23, 2007, 08:41
There is no change in the manner people are driving because they never give way when other drivers signal that they will change lanes.
Ashish
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: July 23, 2007, 07:58
I have noticed that most people do not have the patience to stay in one lane. They zigzag across the lanes without giving proper indication to other drivers.
Vikas
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 23, 2007, 07:53
Despite all the rules, one still witnesses many reckless drivers who appear not to care for themselves or others.
Robert
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 23, 2007, 06:49
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