Three killed in horror accident on Business Bay

Dubai: Drunken and reckless driving, along with speeding were the main causes of four deaths and three pedestrians being injured in five separate traffic accidents across the weekend in Dubai, said a senior traffic prosecutor.

The number of road fatalities, including pedestrians and drivers, has reached eight since the beginning of June, the Head of Dubai Traffic Public Prosecution, Salah Bu Farousha, revealed on Saturday.

"In four accidents on Friday, one Bangladeshi motorcyclist was killed and three pedestrians - two Asian men and an 18-year-old Arab girl - were injured on four streets. The causes of Friday's accidents were mainly driving inattentively and under the influence of alcohol besides speeding."

Business Bay accident

Meanwhile, the investigation into Saturday's accident which led to the death of three Indians on Dubai Business Bay is still ongoing. Traffic Prosecutor Nuhair Al Hubaishi, who conducted the onsite investigations, has ordered the 29-year-old Syrian driver be provisionally detained, Bu Farousha told Gulf News yesterday.

According to preliminary interrogations, the car of one of the victims had a burst tyre and he stopped on the left lane. Two others, who were driving a pickup, parked some distance ahead to assist him.

"The Syrian driver, T.M., was speeding when he lost control over his steering then his car veered off for 23 metres and hit a concrete pavement, then skidded and ran over the three Indians and killed them. His car then continued skidding for nearly 27 meters before it hit the pickup from its back," Bu Farousha said.

Al Hubaishi's onsite inspection unveiled that T.M. ran over the driver of the car with the flat tyre, who instantly died on the Business Bay bridge in the Deira-Bur Dubai direction. The impact was so huge that it threw the bodies of the two men off the bridge which landed on a sandy area between the two sides of the Business Bay.

Bu Farousha confirmed that the Traffic Public Prosecution has started cross-examining T.M. and witnesses who saw the accident.

I passed the site a few minutes after the accident occured. I was very shocked and sad to see the body lying on the road. Dear Motorists please try not to stop at blind spots during emergency; find a safe place especially on highways.
Mohammmad
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 14, 2009, 18:24

What people don't understand is why speed limits are imposed. The speed limit is not based on the road width, no. of lanes, etc only, but a speed limit is imposed to be suitable for a driver to take control of his vehicle if something unexpected happens. Speed limit on Business Bay set at 100kmph to many people may seem too "slow" and they think that this speed limit is for the "amateur " drivers. I hope this accident shows all the reckless and speeding drivers why the speed limit has been imposed and how you can save a chaos from happening by abiding by the speed limit.
Medhat
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 14, 2009, 18:15

Reckless driving and speed are not the only cause of death on the roads, but also the way some drivers tend to take "revenge" from other fellow drivers who could have made a mild mistake. For example, I once saw one driver leaving his route to his destination just to chase another car and come to a screeching halt in front of it just to take revenge of the driver who accidently drove into his path earlier.
Medhat
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 14, 2009, 18:08

These reckless drivers who speed up think highly of themselves but in fact such drivers don't know the values of human being.
Baber
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 14, 2009, 17:52

Don't drive while you are drunk or in influence of drugs.
Rashid Ali
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: June 14, 2009, 17:50

Guys please think that somebody is waiting for you at home and in your home country....these reckless driving is done only by young people to impress girls or maybe they are drunk or what....they are not only endangering themselves but other road users who are totally innocent, like in this case... We need more police patrolling and they must be authorised to question and impound them if necessary if they see something like this...Still RTA has done a wonderful job with some remarkable developments especially Al Mulla crossing which was a nightmare just a year back... We hope the trains bring some more improvements...I just hope the fares are reasonable for the masses to use....Let's make it a public transport and not a picnic spot....only then we would be able to see some difference in the traffic movement...When there is a tyre burst or accident clear SOPs must be made by RTA and police...and there must be public awareness to this SOP's so that these kind of unfortunate accidents are reduced and eliminated in due course of time... It is easier said than done but I think the authorities must come up with something fast...
Mohammad
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 14, 2009, 17:40

I WILL BLAME AUTOMOBILE COMPANIES ONLY. THEY HAVE TO PRODUCE CARS WITH A SPEED LIMIT OF 50KMPH ONLY.
Jacob
Doha,Qatar
Posted: June 14, 2009, 17:36

Its indeed very sad. Why dont we understand that its a matter of life. We cannot have some one lose their family member for some one else's mistake and reckless driving. Better late than never. I would genuinely like to request to all the readers, drivers and concerned authorities to please take this up very seriously and not just as an article...kindly follow the traffic rules, they are for our benefit and for our loved ones. Its important that whenever we are driving we take care of each other's safety. Life is very precious friends...
Pallvi
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 14, 2009, 17:29

Its extremely sad to know that till yesterday who were with there familys are no longer now.guys please change now, have controll on your speeds.life is very precious take care and drive safe
Nush
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: June 14, 2009, 17:16

Prayers for those lifes . Really sad news . Before speeding we need to think we also have families . Just think about those victims families what they will do now or where they will go now..Their wife and children can't even imagine all this. RTA should bring more strict rules and regulations also need charge more fine a person can imagine ...god bless them .:(
Jaison
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 14, 2009, 17:06

Some people are just stupid-lets face it; it just continues in the UAE, crash after crash after crash, death after death after death. I have been driving for 9 years in total, 4 of them in the UAE...I've never had as much as a bump with another car! What are these people doing?!
Derek Dredger
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 14, 2009, 17:05

Fellow drivers we should all know that a car needs time to stop! The more you give it the speed, the longer it will take to stop. And how it stops matters, that stop might involve your life and other innocent lives!
RW
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: June 14, 2009, 17:01

He should be tried for murder...no matter what he took life of three innocent people.
K Khan
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 14, 2009, 16:55

Drivers should get psychiatric exams before getting driving licenses. Some drivers drive arrogantly and some just show off. They have mental problems which is only shown when they are driving. This should be put into consideration by RTA people.
Lester
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 14, 2009, 16:54

i m Dubai based but currently in Goa. have just visited the family of the deceased in Goa and very sad to see the whole family in tears. somebody has to die due to someone else's mistake. Licence should be permanently suspended.
Dilecta Carvalho
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 14, 2009, 16:20

I just passed through the Business bay few minutes after the incident. I had a heavy heart seeing the body lying on the road, in scorching heat. I saw people looking down the bridge for the other bodies.I have only one question for all the reckless drivers who do speeding :What are you going to achieve in your life in such a hurry, which is not more important than others lives
Tharakesh
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 14, 2009, 16:17

My opinion is that the authority should set minimum speed limit on highways and start to take action against slow drivers. Fast moving vehicles always trying to overtake the slow moving vehicles causes to serious accidents.
Mohammad Sharif
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 14, 2009, 16:08

On one hand it is reckless drivers and they should be punished for their act. On the other hand, while the business bay bridge is an excellent one from the point of view of crossing the creek, it is very disturbing that in case of an emergency the shoulder is not sufficient at all to park the vehicle and do some interim repairs or even park and wait. The other day one of my car's tyre went flat and I had to move the car to the emergency shoulder on the right extreme and was waiting there patiently for an hour before the automobile assistance came to replace the tyre with the spare one. In light of hot weather, that too in the morning when I was proceeding to work, I thought of changing the tyres myself, but was scared due to the fact that I need to expose myself to the oncoming traffic. It is no different for the person from the automobile assistance company, but I stood 50m before my car and diverting the oncoming vehicles (by just waving hand!!) so that the person can change the tyres. It just took only 10 min to change the tyre, but those were scary moments especially when vehciles are driving past me at 100kmph!! Hence I request concerned authoritis to provide enough space (atleast one width of a normal lane and some extra space for the shoulders.) not only on the business bay bridge, but on all the bridges.
Kumar
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 14, 2009, 16:05

I think that the authorities should increase police patrols on the roads and highways of UAE. Although this will not eliminate fatal road accidents it will definitely reduce the amount of fatal accidents. Police presence by itself deters errant drivers, when the police is not around, drivers are free to drive the way they want. We need more police patrolling on the streets of the UAE.
Ian
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 14, 2009, 15:48

I disagree completely with Mallika's comments that accidents happen because of long hours of journey or losing patience... In my opinion all accidents are caused by man because of reckless driving and speeding... Please stop speeding!
Ahmad Aseer Miirsm
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 14, 2009, 15:41

Dear All, I think these accidents take place due to reckless driving as I suppose that long hours of driving which takes a toll on a person's patience after waiting long hours in traffic. It took me 3-1/2 hours to reach my office from Sharjah Rolla Bank Street to Al Mulla Plaza which is just a 20-25 mins drive from home. And also other places in Dubai, it's high time the RTA does something to streamline the traffic rather than writing of accidents that take place which are fatal. There should be proper flow of traffic by having the police at important junctions for smooth flow of traffic which will help in easing out the traffic jams as well as smooth flow of traffic. Hope something is done soon about the same which is a great concern. Thank You!
Chris
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 14, 2009, 15:36

Road traffic injuries besides being a major health hazard leading to a highmortality rate of morbidity, disability and death, have a great socio-economicimpact on the victim, his family and the nation as a whole. The toll could be greatly reduced if people follows the traffic rules...Recently I saw an advertisement from RTA that speeding is a sin. So, why people speed up killing others?Worse senario is seen when people from behind give horn, light and tempt others to speed up.
Ahmad Aseer Miirsm
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 14, 2009, 15:33

I dont think anything changed here for accidents. still I can see people are driving wrecklessly and do not care about others. We read the newspaper every day about the new fines and traffic regulations but it seems no change has happened. Basic way of driving is using light indicators. How many of them are fined for this mistake? Some motorists who drive with big cars don't care for anything. As long as we have these guys, don't think about safe travelling. hope authorities will ban their license instead of asking them to pay Dh200/Dh300 with 6 blackpoints which can be refreshed every year.
Vijay Kumar
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 14, 2009, 15:25

Yesterday I was driving in around 2am from Sharjah to Dubai. My concentration was more on how to avoid speeding car if approched suddenly from back, should I take to extreme right or left or be on same track. I could not find result, at last none approched from back. I reached home safely with my family and children.
Syed Anwar Hussain
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 14, 2009, 15:11

It's so sad that lives are lost because of recklesness, I never go more than 60kmph even though how much a person tailgates me or flashes his light. I think police should be on the roads. RTA please make police booths at a prescribed height so that police keeps track of the traffic.
Ajay
India,India
Posted: June 14, 2009, 15:09

Unfortunately the body of the man lying on the road at Business Bay was a very close family friend. He has left behind his wife, 12 years old son and 7 years old daughter. Just because the Syrian man was driving at a high speed. What is the point of sentencing him to jail, we will never get back a good human being. The accused should have his license cancelled for the rest of his life and be deported.
Christina Pereria
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 14, 2009, 15:03

The matter is that when people drive their cars some are not aware of their speed and when they break... their cars slide. So be attentive while driving.
Khadijah Rauf
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 14, 2009, 15:01

I saw this poor guy lying on the road dead yesterday. RTA should rethink the safety standards and also there should be more speed cameras on this bridge. At least people will slow down if they see them. May God bless the family of these unfortunate people.
Ali Jaffery
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 14, 2009, 14:55

How many more lives should be lost before every driver realises how dangerous it is to talk on the mobile while driving? What on earth will happen if you don't attend or don't make a call while driving. So many times I have seen people start the car and drive and then make a call. Could they not wait till they spoke and then drive away.
Venkat
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 14, 2009, 14:47

The Syrian driver must not be blamed for that accident. The Indian driver must drive his car slowly to the right. He stopped in the middle without thinking the potential hazard of stopping there to change a tyre. Accident is everybody's responsibility... He was there stopping in the middle of the 6-lane highway and the Syrian speeding on that lane (maybe) unaware of the situation ahead. The Syrian has the right of way and the Indian has no right to stop in the left lane... even with a flat tyre you can move your car to the right to change it. Think of the potential hazard and assessment of risk when stopping in the middle of 6-lane highway. Move your car slowly to the right shoulder with hazard indicator so others can see you.
Mark Ismael
Fujairah,UAE
Posted: June 14, 2009, 14:46

Every day we open up newspaper, we can see report about fatal death on accident in Dubai. We read and we go back to normal daily life uttering some words and showing sympathy.Is that going to stop all these reckless drivers? No way. Regardless of how many camera you install, ultimately it's people's responsibility to drive safely. RTA and Traffic Department should come up with some awareness campaign to the public on how we can prevent such acciedents in Dubai.Implementing huge fines and punishment of revoking a driving license are not going to solve the problem.
Harees Shaikh
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 14, 2009, 14:42

One word...jail!Forget deportation, revoked license, etc. This driver killed 3 people because he was speeding. He should be punished. He should spend the next 10 years of his life behind bars.
CJM
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 14, 2009, 14:25

As long as we have such careless drivers, no matter what the RTA does, these accidents will continue. I guess we as individuals need to be more careful as roads of Dubai don't seem to be safe anymore.
Sydney
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 14, 2009, 14:14

It was just yesterday when someone suddenly took a left turn to enter a U-turn, right into the front of our car. Timely sense prevailed and an accident was averted. He drove away without even caring for what might have happened. These type of drivers must be banned for life from driving. I think people should take up as a moral duty to photograph such drivers' reckless driving acts to be forwarded to the Traffic Police and strict measures should be taken against them.
Agniyah Shaikh
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: June 14, 2009, 13:48

Som people in this country do not take driving seriously.
Wanda
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 14, 2009, 13:42

There is no camera on the bridge, so people tend to zoom when they cross the camera just before ascending the bridge on both sides. one radar camera is required to be installed in the centre of the bridge on both ways. when somebody is drunk, he forgets the social resposibilies he has.
Humayun Azhar Chaudhry
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 14, 2009, 13:16

I saw this accident yesterday. The whole scene was very horrifying. Even after this accident, some people were speeding up. It's very unfortunate even after strict traffic rules and paying fines for speeding, some people are not bothered. One has to get conscious about this, and drive within the speed limits.
Seema Mitra
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 14, 2009, 13:14

I THINK SUCH RASH DRIVERS SHOULD HAVE THEIR LICENCES REVOKED, CARS IMPOUNDED FOR LIFE, AND IN CASE OF EXPATRIATE, THE ERRANT MUST BE BANNED FROM ENTERING THE UAE OR ANY GCC COUNTRY FOR THE NEXT 10 YEARS ON ANY KIND OF VISA..
Dennis Pulimmootil Vareed
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: June 14, 2009, 12:46

Dear Reader,I think these accidents take place due to reckless driving as I suppose that long hours of driving which takes a toll on a person's patience after waiting long hours in traffic. It took me 3-1/2 hours to reach my office from Sharjah Rolla Bank Street to Al Mulla Plaza which is just a 20-25 mins drive from home. It's high time the RTA does something to streamline the traffic rather than writing of accidents that take place which are fatal. There should be proper flow of traffic by having the police at important junctions for smooth flow of traffic which will help in easing out the traffic jams as well as smooth flow of traffic. Hope something is done soon about the same which is a great concern. Thank You!
Mallika
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 14, 2009, 12:43

Please, please drive slowly and adheare to speed limits.what a waste of life. why can't people understand damn, if u really want to drive fast do go to autodrome not on the streets.
Abdul Salam
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 14, 2009, 12:17

No matter what happens, people will not stop speeding. Either people are speeding and killing or else they are rude and road hogs. Being a driver myself I see so many careless, and reckless drivers everywhere I go. Tighter rules, more police patrols, and more cameras I say, Dubai needs eyes everywhere if some positive results are to be gotten in regard to speeding and reckless driving. Just reading about the accidents is horrific enough, observing one would be traumatising. Maybe its time the authorities got some residents involved and made them undercover reporters of reckless drivers, where the offenders could be fined via a secret camera fitted on to the reporter's vehicle. What is needed is ACTION not words if we are to put an end to this.
Jennifer Grebe
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 14, 2009, 12:10

Its horrific and very sad. Incidentally I was travelling towards Business Bay at the same time and was really sad after seeing the body of one of the person who died there. My son who is 5 years old, just casually asked 'why uncle is sleeping on the road'.I just could not hold my tears and I could not think anything else but the poor family members of the persons and it was then I realised how worst it can get driving recklessly and speeding. I took a pledge to drive the car within prescribed limits, with complete attention so as to ensure that someone who is waiting for me at home is not kept waiting for their life.Lets everybody take this pledge and make sure that roads are safe and hazardless place to drive and commute.
Gurmeet Singh
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 14, 2009, 11:03

My Dad always told me when you go over 90kmh the car will control you, it was a fatal mistake what the driver did.So if you were driving faster than usual speed you'll get to your destination 5 minutes earlier?
Ahmad Anwar
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: June 14, 2009, 10:45

Why are people in such hurry? Yesterday I saw a man who hit the side of the pavement,his car swerved to the other side of the road due the impact. He was lucky being Saturday there was no traffic on that lane or there would been diaster.
M. Rodrigues
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 14, 2009, 10:38