Dubai: Crashing while driving at a speed of 220km/h has the same impact as falling from the 63rd floor, a Dubai Traffic Police official said during the launch of their Speeding Kills campaign.
Maj Gen Mohammad Saif Al Zafein, Assistant to Dubai Police Chief for Operations’ Affairs and Head of the Federal Traffic Council, said that the campaign, which is in its fourth year, will run between November 23 and the end of December.
The campaign aims to raise more awareness about the dangers of speeding, so Dubai can reach zero road fatalities for every 100,000 people by 2020.
The current index is at three road deaths per 100,000 people.
“The majority of victims of speed-related traffic accidents are Emiratis, but the top three nationalities with the most traffic-related deaths are Emiratis, Indians and Pakistanis, and the order changes from year to year,” Maj Gen Al Zafein said.
He said some people argue that they speed all the time and they do not get into accidents. “Speeding alone does not cause accidents, but there are other factors, such as someone suddenly swerving or stopping on the road that will cause accidents, and when this happens at high speeds the outcome is serious,” he said.
He said that people crashing at a speed of 120km/h and not wearing a seat belt are guaranteed to suffer severe injuries or die.
According to the most recent Dubai Police statistics, 151 people died in traffic-related accidents and more than 2.2 million fines have been issued.
He noted that 59 per cent of those fines were either issued for radar-related violations, such as running a red light or driving over the speed limit.
In 2013, Dubai Police issued 1,416,667 speeding tickets, of which 77.4 per cent were for going over the speed limit by 21km/h-30km/h.
“There were 761 fines issued in 2013 for people driving at speeds over 200km/h,” Maj Gen Al Zafein said.
Out of the 761 radar tickets, 385 were issued to drivers speeding on Emirates Road, with the top speed recorded at 254km/h.
On Shaikh Zayed Road, the top speed recorded was 265km/h and there were 187 fines issued, followed by 62 fines on the Dubai-Al Ain Road and a maximum speed of 246 km/h; Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Road with 42 fines and a speed of 251 km/h; Al Khail road with 25 fines and a top speed of 245km/h.
Other roads where cars were speeding over 200km/h were Al Qudra, Al Khawaneej, Al Aweer, Meydan and Jumeirah Road.
“There is no shame in liking to drive fast, but it is wrong to do so in public roads and put the lives of others in danger. If someone likes to drive at high speed he should go to the Dubai Autodrome or any other racing track,” Maj Gen Al Zafein said.
