Dubai: A drop in road fatalities in the first eight months of this year as compared to 2016 is helping Dubai Police edge closer to their strategic target of zero road deaths by 2020.
Latest statistics revealed by Dubai Police show a 36 per cent decrease in casualties so far this year as compared to the death rates in the last two years despite all safety and educational measures taken by Dubai Police.
During the period, 90 people were killed and 1,287 others injured in major traffic accidents as compared to 139 deaths and injuries to 1,347 people in the same period in 2016.
Brigadier Saif Muhair Al Mazroui, director of Traffic Department at Dubai Police, told Gulf News that in the recent years, the extensive awareness campaigns had been conducted in Dubai and these had helped raise awareness among drivers.
“It is good to see a drop in the number of deaths this year after the increase in the last two years,” Brig Al Mazroui said.
He said the latest changes in the traffic law helped to create more discipline on the roads too.
“Speeding and distraction were among the reasons behind the serious accidents but one of the major offences was not leaving safe distance between vehicles which caused death to 41 people this year. Some people think it is a minor offence but it’s a serious one,” Brig Al Mazroui said.
Negligence and being distracted while driving caused the death of 10 people this year too.
Nearly 3,584 cars were damaged in the accidents.
The new Federal Traffic Law came into effect on July 1 bringing in stiffer laws, fines and penalties for motorists who flout rules and road safety.
