4.18 AM Friday, 29 March 2024
  • City Fajr Shuruq Duhr Asr Magrib Isha
  • Dubai 04:56 06:10 12:26 15:53 18:37 19:52
29 March 2024

Fall in traffic deaths and injuries in Abu Dhabi

13% accidents this year were due to motorists who swerved suddenly. (Pic: Abu Dhabi Police)

Published
By Staff

The number of traffic-related deaths and injuries decreased in Abu Dhabi this year, according to a top official.

Brigadier Hussein Ahmed Al Harithi, Director-General of Central Operations at Abu Dhabi Police, said in the first quarter of 2015, number of traffic-related deaths dropped by 16 per cent [down from 64 deaths to 54]; severe injuries dropped by 47 per cent [down from 72 to 38 injuries]; and traffic accidents dropped 11 per cent compared to the same period last year.

“This is a direct result of a number of initiatives by the directorate such as implementation of integrated speed management strategy, setting up of additional automated traffic control devices, and systems to identify motorists who run red lights,” said Brig Harithi.

He said, 13 per cent of accidents this year were due to motorists who swerved suddenly; who were speeding, or those who failed to adjust their speed due to road conditions. While 11 per cent accidents happened due to failure to maintain a safe distance between vehicles; 9 per cent due to failing to drive within designated road lanes; 8 per cent due to negligence and failure to pay attention; 5 per cent due to jumping red lights;  and 4 per cent due to entering main roads without checking.

Motorists aged between 18 and 30 was responsible for 48 per cent of all traffic-related accidents, followed by those between age 31 and 45, who were responsible for about 36 per cent, said Brig. Harithi and added that 35 per cent of those responsible for accidents were UAE nationals; 34 per cent Asians; 20 per cent other Arabs.

Brig. Harithi called upon motorists to respect speed limits in order to avoid traffic accidents and the subsequent deaths and injuries.

He added that traffic safety plays a significant role in the strategic objectives of the Abu Dhabi Police. As one of its most important objectives, the Abu Dhabi Police have utilized their prominent role in society to adopt traffic safety into their various programmes and activities in an effort to reduce fatalities and financial loss caused by traffic-related accidents. “The responsibility of traffic safety is not limited to the Abu Dhabi Police alone, rather, it is a societal responsibility that requires every segment of society to work together in order to make the roads a safer place for everyone,” he added.

The objective is to reduce the death rate to three deaths per every 100,000 people. In a bid to achieve the objective, the police have launched the second phase of its long-term strategic plan 2015–2021 based on six main themes. The strategic plan comes as an embodiment of the vision of the Ministry of Interior.

“Throughout 2015, Abu Dhabi Police aspire to achieve a quantum leap in the field of traffic safety and in the level of services provided to public. As always, police will upgrade all fields in accordance with the best practices and standards of quality,” he said.

Brig. Harithi emphasised the keenness of the police to enhance communication with strategic partners and to continuously develop supporting systems needed to implement the best international practices; which is exemplified through the utilization of artificial intelligence systems and the implementation of Geographical Information Systems (GIS). Police has also implemented smart applications and programmes to monitor traffic flow on bridges, traffic control systems, and 3D traffic simulators.