UAE | Traffic and Transport

Child casualties rising fast in Abu Dhabi

Most victims under five years of age; Arab nationals most affected

  • Staff Report
  • Published: 23:26 July 3, 2009
  • Gulf News

Abu Dhabi: The number of children involved in road accidents in the capital has risen to such an extent that the percentage may now be indicative of a phenomenon, according to the Abu Dhabi Police.

The Abu Dhabi Police Security Research and Study Centre conducted a study titled 'Children are the victim of accidents'.

The study, conducted by Captain Basheer Saleh Al Balbisi, indicated that most of the road accident victims were under five years old, and the highest percentage of children was Arab nationals.

Thirty per cent of the children involved in road accidents were Emiratis (2006-07) and male children represented more than half the victims in this timeframe.

Accidents involving children increased by 37 per cent (an annual average) between 2001 and 2007 over previous years where accidents involving pedestrians being run over were the highest on the list of accident types (same time span).

Accidents involving pedestrians being run over reached 15.8 per cent of the accidents.

The study also called for action towards issuing a federal law to protect children.

Al Balbisi made it clear in the study that this is a strong indication of neglect on the part of the family and those in charge of caring for and educating children.

It also points to a lack of awareness of the very delicate age phase in which children are vulnerable and need particularly close attention.

The study also mentioned that 1,112 accidents involving children took place in the first seven years, in comparison to 7,011 overall accidents in the same period.

The study also indicated that children less than four years old were exposed to dangers inside and outside the home, and fatal accidents can take place at this age despite the fact that they may easily be avoided.

The study includes four chapters highlighting the causes of accidents, statistics, the role of the police in preventing accidents and steps to protect children.

The researcher also presented a number of recommendations and solutions.


Your comments


This is a very serious problem. Parents should be blamed for such negligence, they have the moral responsibility to take care of their children. Still it's a common scene where children are playing.
George Quince
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: July 04, 2009, 16:47

I was shocked at seeing little children sitting in the front with no child safety seat, or even a seatbelt on! In my country, Canada, this is illegal and only done by a negligent parent. Think about it: taking the extra time to properly strap your child into a chair is much better than having him or her get hurt.
Aliah
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: July 04, 2009, 15:40

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