1.2084564-1927500564
Emirates Road. Image Credit: Arshad Ali/Gulf News archives

Dubai: Emirates Road is the most dangerous road in Dubai as it recorded the highest number of fatalities in the first half of 2017, Police revealed on Sunday.

According to the latest statistics from Dubai Police’s Traffic Department, the number of overall road deaths dropped in the first half of this year to 76 compared to 112 during the same period last year.

While identifying the five most dangerous roads in Dubai, Brigadier Saif Muhair Al Mazroui, Director of Traffic Department in Dubai police said that Emirates Road was ahead of Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Road, which was previously identified as the most dangerous road in 2016.

During the first half of this year, 10 people died on Emirates Road, compared to 17 in the first half of last year. This road was followed by Shaikh Zayed Road which recorded eight deaths during the same period compared to five last year.

The number of fatalities was down to seven on Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Road in the first half of 2017, which came third in the list, compared to 20 deaths last year during the same period.

Dubai-Al Ain Road was identified as the fourth most dangerous road, according to Brig Al Mazroui, who said there were five deaths on the road in the first half of the year compared to three last year.

Al Khail Road did not witness any road fatalities in the first half of 2017, compared to last year, which saw two deaths.

The number of injuries in road accidents also dropped in the first half of this year compared to last year. Brig Al Mazroui said 77 people suffered serious injuries. 343 moderate injuries and 570 minor injuries in the first half of this year compared to 78 serious injuries, 388 moderate injuries and 590 minor injuries during the same period in 2016.

The statistics were revealed during a briefing led by the Dubai Police’s Traffic Department, which is usually aimed at evaluating the Traffic Police Department’s performance during the second quarter of the year and setting future goals for them. The meeting was headed by Major General Abdullah Khalifa Al Merri, Commander-in-Chief of Dubai Police and attended by senior police officials.

Brig Al Mazroui said the number of road fatalities went down this year due to an increase in road security control and police’s efforts in raising awareness about traffic rules violations.

He said some of the most dangerous violations motorists commit on the roads include sudden swerving, speeding, not leaving enough distance between the vehicles, blocking the road, jumping the red light, and accessing the road without ensuring that it is clear.

Major General Al Merri said that the department should continue carrying out awareness campaigns on the best road practices and intensify police patrols around areas prone to frequent accidents to reduce road deaths. He also suggested use of modern technologies to monitor traffic violations.

 

Five most dangerous roads in Dubai based on number of accidents and fatalities in 2017:

Emirates Road

Shaikh Zayed Road

Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Road

Dubai-Al Ain Road

Al Khail Road


 

Deaths in the first half of 2017: 75

Deaths in the first half of 2016: 112

 

Injuries in the first half of 2016 and 2017:

Serious injuries in 2016: 78

erious injuries in 2017: 77

Moderate injuries in 2016: 388

Moderate injuries in 2017: 343

Minor injuries in 2016: 590

Minor injuries in 2017: 570