Dubai: The youngest person behind the wheel involved in a traffic accident in Dubai last year was less than seven years old, Gulf News has learnt.
As many as 152 lives were lost to traffic accidents last year in Dubai, latest statistics released by Dubai Police show. Only seven of the victims who died were women.
A total of 2,686 accidents were recorded last year, killing 152 and critically injuring 174. A total of 1,948 people were injured.
"In 2010, the highest number of traffic fatalities was among Indians, accounting for almost a quarter of the deaths.
"They were also the nationality most involved in accidents as drivers, passengers or pedestrians," said Major General Mohammad Saif Al Zafein, Director of the General Traffic Department at Dubai Police.
Last year, 35 Indians were killed and 577 injured, of which 237 were drivers, 198 passengers and 142 pedestrians.
The second highest number of fatalities was among Pakistanis with 25 killed, and the third highest among UAE nationals.
"Twenty UAE nationals were killed and 345 injured. Of those injured, 208 were drivers, 120 passengers and 17 were pedestrians."
A total of 1,239 male drivers were involved in accidents compared to 141 women drivers. Also, 1,867 of the injured were men as compared to 221 women.
"Claiming 23 lives, Emirates Road, for the second year in a row, witnessed the most deaths." Shaikh Zayed Road was next with 15 deaths.
Inadequate distance
Interestingly, the maximum number of accidents occurred on Fridays, with 468 accidents out of the annual total of 2,686. January was the most accident-prone month.
"Young drivers aged between 22 and 30 caused the highest number of accidents compared to those above 40," Maj Gen Al Zafein said.
The fatalities were highest in the 27-35 age group, with 51 victims.
Of these, 36 victims were aged 18 to 26 and 28 aged 36 to 44. Above the age of 50, fatalities decline with 16 deaths of people aged between 50 and 71.
"Inexperienced drivers who got their driving licences less than a year ago were involved in a significantly higher number of accidents, unlike drivers with more than three years of experience."
Collisions were the most common type of accident, he noted.
A total of 1,846 collisions were recorded, accounting for 68 deaths while 143 vehicles overturned, killing 22.
Failure to leave adequate distance between vehicles was a major cause of accidents.
Sudden swerving, driving under the influence of alcohol and entering a street carelessly are other major causes, Major General Al Zafein added.
Deadly crashes: Young offenders
Thirteen under-age drivers were involved in accidents — including one aged below 7, eleven children aged between 12 and 15 years and one aged between 8 and 11.
Six children below the age of 15 were killed in traffic accidents last year. Two of them were less than three years old, Major General Al Zafein said
About 144 children were injured in all and 89 of the injured were passengers, 42 were pedestrians and the remaining were drivers. Eighty-three were boys and 61 were girls. Most of the injured were between 12 and 15 years old.
