Traffic accident rates drop by more than 10%

Abu Dhabi/Sharjah: Traffic accidents, fatalities and serious injuries across the UAE declined by more than ten per cent last year and continued cooperation by the public and traffic safety bodies would reduce this figure even further, a senior traffic official announced in the capital yesterday.

The GCC Traffic Week 2011 kicked off in the country yesterday with all emirates holding various activities to spread traffic safety awareness. This year's traffic week is being held under the slogan "together to reducing traffic accidents".

While traffic accidents in the UAE decreased by 20.87 per cent, serious injuries saw a 20.41 per cent decline and fatalities fell by 14.49 per cent, said General Gaith Al Za'abi, director general of traffic coordination at the Ministry of Interior.

"The aim is to reduce the traffic-related fatality rate to 1.5 per 100,000 people, compared to 10.03 per cent in 2010," General Al Za'abi said.

The GCC traffic week aims to create public awareness about road safety measures. The week-long campaign includes a series of seminars about traffic safety across various malls in the Abu Dhabi emirate, and will also include special drives targeting children across the emirate and other emirates.

Regulations

In addition, driving simulators will allow people to check their level of adherence to road safety regulations. Speaking at the opening of the initiative, General Hussain Al Harithi, director of the Abu Dhabi Police Traffic and Patrols Directorate, said awareness campaigns played a significant role in reducing road casualties.

"There was an eight per cent decline in fatalities in the capital last year, as well as a 17 per cent fall in serious injuries. We intend to continue upon this trend to make the city and its roads safer," General Al Harithi announced. While the climate and conditions of the road and the vehicle account for 15 per cent of road accidents, 85 per cent of traffic accidents are known to occur as a result of human error. The GCC Traffic Week therefore specifically targets motorists, pedestrians and other road users and urges the use of seat belts and avoiding talking on the phone when driving.

Meanwhile, Sharjah Police also announced that the number of fatal road accidents have declined over the last three years in Sharjah. "Our roads are getting safer day by day," said Major General Humaid Al Hudaidi, Chief of Sharjah Police.

Mohammed Bin Sulayem, Chairman of the Automobile and Touring Club in the UAE, said the family has a responsibility to avoid driving recklessly.

Road casualties

UAE

Type of incident     2009       2010
Traffic accidents   9,658      7,642  (20.87% decline in traffic accidents)
Traffic fatalities         966         826 (14.49% decline in traffic fatalities)
Serious injuries  11,541        9,157 (20.41% decline in serious road injuries)

Abu Dhabi emirate
Type of incident      2009       2010
Traffic fatalities         409         376  (8% decline in traffic fatalities)
Serious injuries        483         400  (17% decline in serious road injuries)

Source: Ministry of Interior and Abu Dhabi Police