Road accidents caused by reckless driving and other offences killed 17 people in the UAE in the first eight months of this year, according to the Interior Ministry.

A ministry report published by the Arabic language daily 'Al Khaleej' showed 146 people were also injured, including 18 seriously.

Brigadier Gaith Al Zaabi, director of traffic coordination at the Ministry, said the accidents were caused mainly by reckless driving, sudden changer of lanes, overtaking, speeding and other offences.