Abu Dhabi: Traffic accidents in Abu Dhabi have claimed the lives of at least 97 people so far this year, police said Thursday.
"1075 accidents were recorded from January 1 to March 12 [71 days], in which 97 people lost their lives", said Colonel Hamad Adel Al Shamsi, Director of the Traffic and Patrol department of Abu Dhabi Police.
"Hundred people sustained severe injuries, 423 sustained medium injuries and 455 sustained minor injuries in these accidents", he said.
Al Shamsi announced the events lined up for GCC Traffic Week, which is observed across the region. The event, held under the theme 'Don't Call until You Arrive', will begin on Sunday and run till March 19.
Emphasising the importance of the theme of the campaign, Al Shamsi said: "Using mobile phones while driving is one of the major causes of accidents. 2,957 accidents in Abu Dhabi last year were because of lack of attention and focus on the roads. 376 people died in these accidents and 4,603 were injured."
A Dh200 fine and four black points are slapped on motorists who use mobile phones while driving.
Al Shamsi said the police are paying immense attention to make the roads safer by applying traffic safety strategy to reduce the number of deaths and severe injuries by 20 per cent over the next five years.
He noted that the Federal Traffic Law introduced last year in March had resulted in reduction of deaths and injuries by 15 per cent as compared to 2007.
The number of people fined for using phones while driving reduced last year from 10945 fines in 2007 to 9164 in 2008.
The opening ceremony of the traffic week will be held at the Cultural Foundation on Sunday morning.
Members of the public who participate in competitions stand a chance to win laptops, television sets and other prizes.
Your comments
Truly one of the most important issues in the UAE. I don't think the fines are high enough and think there should be more police patrol to check on traffic rule transgressions such as speeding and using a mobile phone. Such irresponsible acts are attempted murder and I think should be treated as such.
Joachim Sautter
Dubai,UAE
Posted: March 13, 2009, 10:31
