7-year-old is youngest driver in a UAE accident

Dubai Police's latest statistics reveal 152 people lost their lives in traffic accidents last year in the emirate and the youngest person behind the wheel was less than seven years old.

Thirteen under-age drivers were involved in accidents — including one aged below seven; 11 children aged between 12 and 15 years and one aged between 8 and 11, reported 'Gulf News'.

Six children below the age of 15 were killed in traffic accidents last year. Two of them were less than three years old.

About 144 children were injured in all and 89 of the injured were passengers, 42 were pedestrians and the remaining were drivers. Eighty-three were boys and 61 were girls. Most of the injured were between 12 and 15 years old.

Of the total 2,686 accidents recorded in 2010, 1,948 people were injured and 174 critically hurt. Only seven of the victims were women.

Indians led in the number of fatalities (35 killed), followed by Pakistanis (25 deaths) and 20 Emiratis.

Similarly, drivers aged between 22 and 30 caused the highest number of accidents compared to those above 40.

Of these, 36 victims were aged 18 to 26 and 28 aged 36 to 44. And 16 deaths were reported of drivers 50 and 71 years.

Interestingly, the maximum number of accidents occurred on Fridays and January was the most accident-prone month.

Follow Emirates 24|7 on Google News.