Abu Dhabi: With the launch of the 31st annual GCC Traffic Week today, police have revealed that the UAE is seeing an average of 6.3 deaths per 100,000 individuals due to traffic accidents. This number is just a little more than double what authorities are working to achieve by the year 2021.
The event kicked off under the patronage of Lieutenant General Shaikh Saif Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, under the title of ‘Your Choice Determines Your Destiny’.
“Prior to 2013, the death rate was 13 and sometimes 14 individuals per 100,000. Despite the rise in [the] UAE population and the number of vehicles on the street, we have managed to reduce traffic-related fatalities. Of course, we have been using the smart patrols, mobile camera and other technologies that have helped further our accomplishments,” said Lieutenant General Saif Abdullah Al Sha’afar, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Interior (MoI).
There are currently five smart patrol cars roaming the streets of the capital. These include state-of-the-art equipment including radars, detecting wanted vehicles or those with expired plates, among others.
“We are hoping to integrate the smart system into all police patrols by the end of next year,” Brigadier Ghaith Hassan Al Zaabi, Director General, Traffic Coordination Department at MoI, said.
Next year will also witness the installation of 70 Variable Message Signs (VMS) on the way to and from Dubai.
“Situated before and after exits on both directions, the signs will be able to tell motorists if there are any accidents on the way or weather changes such as fog. In case vision was reduced, drivers will also be informed via VMS of any speed changes. The devices will be connected to radars to ensure that motorists abide by the new speed limit,” Al Zaabi added.
During the launch, several schools, individuals and institutions were awarded for showing exceptional skills in traffic safety and awareness. One such example is the Aishah Bint Abi Baker School, which encourages its students to create brochures, posters, short films and presentations on traffic safety. “We have even started a programme to visit other schools with younger students and tell them about the importance of abiding by traffic laws and so far we have visited two in 2015 with many more planned ahead,” said Fatimah Al Zaabi, specialist of the Physics laboratory at the school and head of its Safety and Security Committee.
The school received Dh10,000 in prize money along with remaining winners in the categories of: best driver with disabilities, best bus driver and best heavy vehicle driver.