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12 October 2024

10 most dangerous roads in Abu Dhabi, Dubai

Motorists drive on Abu Dhabi-Al Ain Road. Police say traffic mortalities dropped 23% last year on the 10 most dangerous roads of Abu Dhabi (Supplied)

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By Staff

Traffic mortalities on the 10 most dangerous roads of Abu Dhabi decreased by 23 percent in 2014 in comparison with the previous year, said a police statement.

The Traffic and Patrols Directorate at the Abu Dhabi Police attributed this reduction to the intensified field efforts through increased patrols, installed radars, and mounted radar speed limit signs.

Brigadier Hussein Ahmed Al Harithi, Director of Traffic and Patrols Directorate, explained that the 10 most dangerous roads in Abu Dhabi include the following: Abu Dhabi - Al Sila Road, Abu Dhabi - Al Ain Road, Al Ain - Dubai Road, Abu Dhabi- Al Ain truck road, Gayathi Road, the new Madinat Zayed Road, Abu Dhabi – Dubai truck road, International Airport Road, Hameem Street, and Sweihan Road.

He also noted that traffic accidents on the above mentioned roads have declined by 11 percent: from 645 reported incidents in 2013 to 575 incidents in 2014. Mortality rates also declined by 23 percent from 156 deaths in 2013 to 120  in 2014; and incidents resulting in severe injuries declined by 40 percent.

“According to last year’s statistics, the Abu Dhabi- Al Sila Road was the most dangerous, as it witnessed 150 accidents resulting in 47 deaths and 37 severe injuries,” Al Harithi indicated. “The Abu Dhabi - Al Ain Road was the second most deadly road with 184 accidents that resulted in 28 deaths and seven severe injuries. The Abu Dhabi –Dubai truck road registered 14 deaths as a result of 37 accidents, while Sweihan road witnessed 11 deaths from 61 accidents.”

Al Harithi explained that the classification of the most dangerous roads is based on the analyses of traffic accident indicators and the causes of the accidents. Through joint collaboration, partners are able to prevent future accidents by identifying and implementing solutions to these analyzed factors. “As per the types of accidents registered on these roads, the majority of accidents varied from collisions, to loss of control and run-overs. Other causes that lead to accidents were a result of swerving suddenly, failing to maintain a safe distance between vehicles, exceeding the designated speed limit, bursting tires, carelessness, and not paying attention,” he said.

Additionally, Al Harithi pointed out that traffic control has been intensified on these roads by increasing the number of traffic patrols and traffic investigation civil patrols. These steps are to ensure compliance with traffic laws, to reduce the causes of traffic accidents, and to reduce the subsequent deaths and serious injuries that follow these accidents. He also stressed that the efforts to intensify awareness are an implementation of the traffic awareness plan of 2015.

Calling upon motorists in general, he said: “All drivers, and especially those driving on the above mentioned roads, must abide by  the traffic laws, maintain a sufficient, safe distance between vehicles at all times, pay attention, and commit to the designated speed limits.”

The Traffic and Patrols Directorate has organized an initiative to study the causes of the increase in the death toll on these roads in order to implement future plans to reduce the number of accidents and deaths. The study involved the engineering aspects of these roads in addition to traffic control, speed limits, and driver education.