Abu Dhabi motorcycle mishaps: 12% minors die

Six motorcyclists were killed and another 14 injured in 74 accidents during the last 12 months in Abu Dhabi.

In what is even more startling, almost 12 per cent of those involved in the accidents are minors and below 18 years of age.

According to the latest statement released by traffic authorities in Abu Dhabi, many of the accidents were caused due to the negligence of motorcyclists, such as colliding with another vehicles and drifting away from the stipulated path.

The number of such accidents has been on the rise. Earlier this week a British motorcyclist was killed after a four-wheel drive crashed into him near the Al Awir roundabout on Saturday morning.

The 30-year-old-man was riding up the wrong way when he was hit by a vehicle driven by an Egyptian national.

Separately, three Emarati teenagers aged 17, 18 and 19 were injured in quad bike accidents near Al Warqa.

In a statement issued yesterday Brigadier Hussein Ahmed Al Harthi, Director of Traffic and Patrols Directorate in Abu Dhabi Police said that the main causes of motor bikes accidents were over speeding, taking sudden turns, poor driving skills, neglect, lack of attention, non-adherence to routes and crossing red lights.

“The statistics of Traffic and Patrol Directorate show that 46 per cent of individuals who were behind these accidents were between 18-30 years old, followed by 32 per cent between 31-45 years and 12 per cent below 18 years,” said Brig, Al Harthi.

Motorcyclists in Abu Dhabi alone were issued with 1150 fines, of which

353 fines were for over speeding, 105 fines for not wearing helmets, and 161 fines for non-adhering to lanes, among others.

Meanwhile, Abu Dhabi police have launched several campaigns in an effort to reduce the number of accidents such as lectures at schools, universities and the media.

Four community-based initiatives were also launched through the Abu Dhabi Traffic Program in order to reduce accidents. These initiatives

included: the best school in terms of traffic awareness; the best labor camp in terms of traffic; the best family in terms of traffic; and the best young driver.

MUST READ:

2012's most dangerous roads in Dubai: Emirates Road, Dubai Bypass in dead heat

Revealed: Deadliest killers on Dubai's roads in 2012