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29 March 2024

Dubai road fatalities drop to just 7 per 100,000

The press conference (Supplied)

Published
By Staff

The Roads & Transport Authority (RTA), in cooperation with the General HQ of Dubai Police, announced the launch of an awareness campaign entitled 'Road Safety' to focus attention on three key aspects namely: over-speeding, using the mobile phone during driving, and non-use of safety belt.

“The cooperation and coordination between the RTA and the General HQ of Dubai Police in boosting road traffic safety contributed to reducing crash fatalities from 21.7 cases per 100,000 of population in 2007 to about 12.7 cases per 100,000 of population in 2009, registering a 54.2% drop,” said Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman and Executive Director of the RTA.

“The drop was sustained in 2010 to reach 8 cases per 100,000, and the past months have seen a substantial drop in fatalities and the rate is expected to hit 7 cases per 100,000 of population by the end of this year," said Al Tayer.

"RTA has figured out a number of solutions to improve traffic flow in more than 30 locations, and run several initiatives aimed at improving traffic safety levels including staging traffic awareness campaigns and programmes, and constructing 67 footbridges which resulted in fatalities plummeting from 145 cases in 2007 to 43 cases in 2010 – a 70.3% drop. It also erected fences to thwart pedestrian attempts to cross the road in a number of dangerous spots in the roads network, and introduced the flashing green signal which contributed to reducing fatalities resulting from jumping the red signals by as much as 75 per cent.

"RTA has developed several technical manuals aligned with the best international standards, such as: Roadside Design Manual, Traffic Calming Devices Manual, Road Safety Audit Manual, Traffic Control Devices Manual, Traffic Diversions Manual, and Speed Management Manual," continued Al Tayer.

Dr. Aysha Al Busmait, Director of RTA Marketing & Corporate Communication, elaborated the features of the 'Road Safety' campaign.

"The 'Road Safety' campaign complements RTA's participation in 'I Promise' campaign in targeting all community segments, and addressing drivers, passengers and family members. It focuses on sending a message to passengers through calling upon them to shoulder their responsibility in rectifying the negative practices of drivers such as over-speeding, using the mobile phone in making calls or texting while driving, failure to fasten the safety belt and other practices that raise the likelihood of crashes.

"RTA will hold workshops and deliver lectures at various colleges, schools, public and private organizations, and shopping malls besides publishing educative ads in various visual, audio and written media outlets," concluded Dr. Aysha.

The launch was attended by Major-General Khamis Mattar Al Mazeina, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Dubai Police.