Have your say: Dubai road deaths

Speeding was the major cause of around 80 per cent of accidents in Dubai last year, revealed an annual report released by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).

Some 300,000 vehicles were involved in traffic accidents in Dubai last year and there was a 15 per cent increase in the number of road deaths in the emirate.

Motorists aged between 21 and 40 years were responsible for 67 per cent of traffic accidents in 2005, while drivers who received their licence from Dubai were involved in 61.61 per cent of the accidents.

Amongst the drivers 25.12 per cent were UAE nationals, 25.12 per cent were Pakistanis and 18.96 per cent were Indians.

Engineer Maitha Obaid Bin Udai, CEO of Roads Department at RTA, said motorists who drove above the speed limit should be taken to court instead of being fined.

What do you think is the major cause of accidents in Dubai? What can realistically be done to curb the number of road deaths?

Send your comments to feedback@gulfnews.com

A selection of your emails will be published on this page. We reserve the right to edit emails for length and clarity but comments will reflect the balance of opinion. Emails will not be published if no name is provided. If you wish to remain anonymous then please state this at the bottom of your comment.

The major reason for accidents is speeding. The simple step that can be taken is give violators a six-month driving ban. Depriving them of the licence to drive of license will definetly make them drive safely, thus saving their life as well as others.
Rajan
By e-mail

I have been driving in this country for two years. Initially I used to let people get in front of me, let pedestrians pass the zebra crossing, but later when it was my turn to receive consideration, I never received it. Driving schools should make people understand that they are not the only ones driving the car, but they should also consider other cars and pedestrians.
Ravi
By e-mail

I suggest that they find a way to modify newly-bought cars so that the speed for these vehicles can not exceed more than 120 km/hr, thus preventing over speeding.
Selwyn
By e-mail

Recently, UAE  roads have been turning out to be the death trap for many motorists who drive to earn their daily bread - with a variety of powerful cars driven by people with various behaviours. Also now, I see people getting a licence within months, whereas before it would take you years to get one.
Jacob
Dubai

The method of deploying stationary and fixed speed traps has proven inefficient – a reckless driver is surely aware of the locations of each. A speeding fine has not prevented, no matter how dear, drivers from breaching of the speed limit. I join my voice to those who call for court action. The right of way and road shoulders has become a natural lane for speeding drivers. This is most evident on Emirates Road.
Bashar
By email

Let's face it: it is not only speed that causes so many accidents, but lack of driving skills and ignorance mixed with speeding. There are many countries, like Germany, where people drive very fast too but their skills are much better. They don't drive 160Km/h just 1 meter behind other cars because they know very well that there is no chance to avoid an accident if the car in front suddenly stops. The really sad thing is that nobody realises these reasons. We shouldn't blame Police for that, but look at driving schools instead, which have unskilled instructors and give driving licenses to potential killers. There should be a campaign where all careless behaviour should be named and shamed.
Piotr
By email

The traffic department is issuing licenses to bad drivers everyday. They should keep that in control. Yes everyone has the right to drive, but in a country like the UAE that has huge highways and fast cars, crazy drivers should not be allowed on the roads. I think the traffic department should make the starting age from 21 for applying for a driving license as its 18 at the moment. I am sure this will help make a big difference as most deaths are caused by young reckless drivers. I hope something will be done.
Qaisar
By email

There is only one way to control the accidents and deaths on roads. Hidden radars should be installed every 5 km and Dubai police must be very strict about collecting these fines. People who get away lightly are likely to commit the same crime again. So this practice has to be stopped and strong steps are needed to implement this rule.
Mohammed
By email

All those coming to UAE on an employment visa should be given training on how to use the roads. The major reason for pedestrian accidents are pedestrians themselves. Over speeding is also a major cause of most accidents. I think penalties should be in proportion to the level of violation. There is no check on stunt driving. The RTA should devise some kind of check on it. It should be understood by car drivers that heavy vehicles are different from usual cars while overtaking them. Heavy vehicles take a much longer time to stop. Similarly they cannot change lanes as quickly as cars. Therefore car and light vehicle drivers should not overtake heavy vehicles with short margins. At the same time drivers of heavy vehicles should be extra cautious while driving in dense traffic areas.
Tanweer
By email