Road deaths in Dubai soar 45% in 8 months

Dubai: Three people were killed in a horrific accident on Tuesday as police announced a 45 per cent increase in road deaths in the first eight months of this year compared with the corresponding period in 2005.

Police said the accident occurred at around 4pm when an Indian motorist in his 30s emerged from the airport tunnel and ploughed into four workers in Nad Al Hammar.

Three were killed and one sustained serious injuries. The motorist has been arrested.

According to statistics from Dubai Police's Traffic Department, around 214 people were killed in the first eight months of this year compared with 147 in the first eight months of 2005.

Last week saw one road death and three serious injuries. Police are looking for a motorist who ran over a child in Mirdif and fled. The child sustained moderate injuries.

The death toll is mounting, with 156 people being killed in road accidents in the first six months of this year, an increase of 42 per cent over 2005.

Police have called on motorists to be careful on roads and be courteous, especially in traffic jams, and respect the right of other road users.

"Motorists should reduce speed, especially while nearing interchanges. They should also leave enough space between vehicles and the front vehicle," a traffic police officer said.