6.3% drop in road traffic fatalities in the UAE in 3 months

Abu Dhabi (WAM): Road Traffic deaths and casualties registered in the UAE, during the first quarter of the year decreased by 6.3% and 3.1% respectively . According to statistics released by the Traffic Coordination Department at the Ministry of Interior; traffic accidents that occurred in the same period this year dropped by 4.3% compared to the same period of 2013. Brigadier Gaith Hassan Al Zaabi, Director General of the Traffic Coordination Department at the Ministry of Interior, attributed the decline in traffic accidents and the related deaths and casualties to the efficiency of the procedures adopted by the Ministry, and the efforts of the Police General Headquarters and the directorates of traffic and patrols in the UAE to improve traffic safety, through the Ministry's strategy to control road security, and create a safe traffic environment according to the relevant international standards. Statistics showed that the total number of deaths recorded during the first quarter of the year was 181 compared to 192 during the same period last year, a decrease of 11 deaths, i.e. 6%. The number of casualties resulting from traffic accidents during the first quarter of the year was 1,984 casualties, compared to 2,048 during the same period of 2013, a decrease of 64 injuries i.e. 3.1%. Statistics also noted a fall 4.3% (58 accidents) in traffic accidents nationwide to 1,295 accidents during the first quarter of the year, compared to 1,353 during the same period last year. According to the statistics, 50 less hit and collision accidents were recorded during the first quarter of the year, which witnessed, 797 accidents compared to 847 during the same period of 2013, a decrease by 5.9% nationwide. Run-over accidents sank by 8% (27 less accidents) during the first quarter of the year, which witnessed 309 accidents, compared to 336 during the same period of 2013. Swerving accidents, however, rose slightly by 3.9% (7 accidents) to 161 accidents during the first quarter of the year from 155 during the same period of 2013. Other accidents jumped to 28 during first quarter of the year from 15 during the same period in 2013. Statistics showed that sudden lane changing was the main cause of accidents in the first quarter of the year, leading to 258 accidents. The second cause was misjudgement of road users (176 accidents). In the third place came failure to leave sufficient safety distance between vehicles (135 accidents). Over speeding was in fourth place, causing 113 accidents. Negligence and lack of attention came fifth with 100 accidents. Entering a road before making sure it is clear caused 94 accidents, followed by jumping red traffic signals (86 accidents). Failure to comply with lane rules caused 81 accidents. Not giving the priority to pedestrians caused 45 accidents, whereas 320 accidents happened for miscellaneous reasons. Statistics showed that some of the causes of accidents leading to death were sudden lane changing (45 deaths), over speeding (30 deaths), misjudgement of road users (25 deaths), and negligence and lack of attention (18 deaths). Failure to leave sufficient distance between vehicles caused 10 deaths, followed by failure to comply with lane rules (7 deaths). Jumping red traffic signals caused 3 deaths, while 39 people died in miscellaneous accidents. Statistics showed that sudden lane changing was the main cause of different kinds of casualties, leading to 396 casualties, followed by failure to leave sufficient safe distance between vehicles, (248 casualties). Misjudgement of road users caused 178 casualties, followed by jumping red traffic signals which caused 156 casualties. Over speeding caused 152 casualties, whereas entering a road before making sure it is clear caused 148 casualties. Failure to comply with lane rules caused 140 casualties. Negligence and lack of attention caused 133 casualties, whereas 391 people were injured in miscellaneous accidents. Brigadier Gaith Al Zaabi stressed the importance of using the full potential of all directorates, organisations and different sectors of society, and their cooperation with the directorates of traffic and patrols nationwide, to reduce traffic accidents and related human and financial losses. He pointed out that facing traffic issues is a joint responsibility that requires a collaboration of the efforts of all sectors of society. He urged motorists and road users to adhere to traffic rules and regulations in order to save themselves and others from accidents and related injuries and loss of lives and properties, and keep themselves and others safe. – Emirates News Agency, WAM