UAE | Crime
Accidents in last 6 months claim lives of 147 people
A total of 147 people have been killed in road accidents here in the last six months, an increase of 8 per cent compared to the same period last year, a senior police official said.
- By Alia Al Theeb, Staff Reporter
- Published: 00:05 July 21, 2008
Dubai: A total of 147 people have been killed in road accidents here in the last six months, an increase of 8 per cent compared to the same period last year, a senior police official said.
Brig Mohammad Saif Al Zafein, Director of Dubai Police's Traffic Department, said according to the latest statistics 147 people lost their lives in road accidents, while 1,688 others were injured in 1,914 accidents in the last six months.
He said last year 136 people died during the same period.
According to statistics, most accidents took place on Shaikh Zayed Road (138), which killed 14 people and injured 149.
Dangerous
Emirates Road was the second most dangerous road with 98 accidents that killed 25 people and injured 121, followed by Al Khail Road with 66 accidents that killed 7 people and injured 66 others.
"There are other roads in the top ten for accidents, but the number of accidents, deaths and injuries on them are low compared to the main roads," Brig Al Zafein said.
Lack of consideration for other road users topped the list of reasons behind most accidents this year, as it resulted in the death of 48 people and injury of 309 in 345 accidents.
Other reasons included not leaving enough following distance, which killed 8 people and injured 263, followed by driving under the influence of alcohol that killed 6 people and injured 224 others.
Speeding killed 26 and injured 164 people in 91 accidents, while entering the road without making sure it was clear killed 12 and injured 129 in 147 accidents.
Brig Al Zafein said the traffic department received 341 objections on traffic fines in the past six months.
He said it is the right of motorists to object to fines. The objection is investigated after which action is taken if the objection is proved valid.
He said Emiratis, followed by Egyptians, were the nationalities most likely to object to traffic fines.
He added that the department has advanced technology that proves the time and location of a traffic offence with pictures.
Black points
Licences confiscated
More than 900 driving licences have been confiscated in the last six months for reaching the maximum total of 24 black points in one year for traffic offences.
"There are strict punishments and procedures against traffic law offenders and one of them is the system of traffic points. The department confiscated 965 driving licences in the last six months for exceeding the 24 traffic points," said Brig Mohammad Saif Al Zafein, Director of Dubai Police's Traffic Department.
He said currently 250 driving licences are wanted for exceeding the total traffic points.
He also pointed out that Asian nationalities generally committed the greatest number of traffic offences and topped the list in the confiscation of driving licences.
According to statistics, the traffic department confiscated 702 driving licences of Pakistanis and another 68 licences are wanted, followed by 151 driving licences of Indians and another 45 licences are wanted, followed by Emiratis with 25 driving licences and another 55 licences are wanted.
- A.A.T.
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