Traffic toll down by 21% in UAE over past six months

Abu Dhabi:  Around 391 people were killed on the UAE's roads over the past six months, it was announced on Monday.

The traffic toll has come down by 21 per cent, statistics released by the Ministry of Interior show.

Traffic deaths, the number of accidents and injuries have all declined, while the number of traffic fines issued by the police has increased. "During the first half of this year, traffic deaths have come down, with 391 fatalities recorded in six months, while last year 495 were recorded during the same time," Brigadier Gaith Hassan Al Za'abi, Director of the Traffic Department at the interior ministry, said.

The number of traffic accidents dropped from 5,034 accidents last year to 3,773, a 25.5 per cent reduction.

As many as 878 traffic deaths were recorded in 2006. The death toll climbed to 1,056 in 2007 and to 1,072 in 2008. In 2009, the toll reduced to 963, 10 per cent lower compared to 2008.

Brigadier Al Za'abi attributed the reduction in fatalities to the amendment of the traffic law in 2008 to introduce black points and hefty fines. "The strict enforcement of the traffic law, coupled with efficient rescue and ambulance teams and increased traffic awareness programmes by the ministry played a role in reducing road deaths," he said.

The rate of deaths due to traffic accidents per 100,000 of the population was 15.8 in 2007, which fell to 13.3 in 2008 and further fell to 11.8 in 2009. The ministry aims to cut the rate of deaths by 1.5 per cent annually. In six months, 4,373 people sustained injuries due to traffic accidents this year compared to 6,012 victims last year. The number of pedestrian accidents decreased from 1,011 to 733.

Brigadier Al Za'abi called on motorists to abide by traffic rules and to pay more attention while driving. The revised traffic law has played a vital role in bringing down deaths, says Mahmoud Mohammad Abdul Qader, a traffic expert at Abu Dhabi Police.

Traffic death toll

- Source: Interior ministry

Have you noticed a decline in the number of traffic accidents? What more could be done to ensure road safety?