Abu Dhabi: The number of recorded traffic-related deaths, severe injuries, and accidents in Abu Dhabi has decreased during the first quarter of 2015. According to Brigadier Eng Hussain Ahmad Al Harithi, Director-General of Central Operations at Abu Dhabi Police, traffic-related deaths in the capital have dropped by 16 per cent, down from 64 deaths to 54; severe injuries decreased by 47 per cent, down from 72 to 38 injuries; and traffic accidents went down by 11 per cent.

“The declining numbers are a direct result of the directorate’s continuous efforts in implementing its comprehensive plans with regard to traffic safety and in intensifying its outreach programmes to increase awareness. The directorate has applied an integrated speed management strategy, deployed additional automated traffic control devices, and developed a system to identify motorists who run red lights,” Brig Al Harithi said.

About 13 per cent of recorded accidents resulted from sudden swerving, speeding, or not adjusting speed according to the road conditions. Failure to maintain a safe distance between vehicles was the main cause of 11 per cent of the accidents, while not driving within the designated road lanes resulted in nine per cent of the accidents. Negligence and lack of attention caused eight per cent while running red lights caused five per cent of the accidents.

Finally, entering a major road before ensuring the road is clear caused nearly four per cent of traffic accidents.

Brig Al Harithi called on motorists to be mindful and to avoid the causes of traffic accidents and to prevent tragedies that result in injuries or death. “Statistically speaking, young adults aged 18 to 30 are most likely to cause a traffic accident. This societal segment was responsible for 48 per cent of all traffic-related accidents, followed by adults aged 31 to 45, who were responsible for about 36 per cent.”

The official asked all motorists to commit to the designated speed limits in order to maintain their safety and that of other road users. He also warned drivers against exceeding the speed limits. “The time required to stop the vehicle increases when you increase your driving speed. This makes it more difficult to stop or to avoid accidents. It is essential to adhere to the designated speed limits on internal and external roads in order to avoid traffic accidents and the subsequent deaths and injuries,” he said.

He added that traffic safety plays a significant role in the strategic objectives of Abu Dhabi Police. As one of its most important objectives, the Abu Dhabi Police have used their prominent role in society to adopt traffic safety in their various programmes and activities in an effort to influence the reduction of human and financial loss caused by traffic-related accidents. “The responsibility of traffic safety is not limited to the Abu Dhabi Police alone, rather, it is a societal responsibility that requires every segment of society to work together in order to make the roads a safer place for everyone,” he said.

The Abu Dhabi Police have adopted a traffic safety plan to reduce traffic-related deaths and injuries over the coming years. The objective is to decrease the death rate to three deaths per 100,000 individuals. In a bid to achieve the objective, the police have launched the second phase of its long-term strategic plan 2015—2021 based on six main themes. The strategic plan comes as an embodiment of the vision of the Ministry of Interior.

“Throughout 2015, the Abu Dhabi Police aspire to achieve a quantum leap in the field of traffic safety and in the level of services provided to the public. As always, the police will be upgrading all fields in accordance with best practices and standards of quality,” he said. “The Traffic and Patrols Directorate is committed to distributing a culture of quality and excellence among its personnel in order to enable all members to conduct their required duties to the fullest extent,” he added.