Dubai: Sudden swerving has been blamed for one out every three fatalities on Dubai roads so far this year, highlighting its deadly consequence.
Police specifically cited sudden swerving as a major cause of road deaths in the emirate — 28 people were killed due to sudden swerving out of the total of 88 road fatalies in Dubai from January to July this year.
Sudden swerving: The dangers, costs
In addition to the road deaths, a total of 922 other people were injured in traffic accidents on Dubai roads till the end of July this year, Gulf News has learnt.
Brigadier Saif Muhair Al Mazroui, director of Dubai Police’s Traffic Department, said crashes involving vehicles caused the deaths of 44 people on Dubai roads.
“There were 1,420 traffic accidents on Dubai roads this year until the end of July and 44 people were killed in vehicle crashes. Drivers should pay more attention to the road while driving and keep a safe distance between the vehicles,” Brig Al Mazroui said.
According to the latest police stats, 2,668 vehicles were involved in the accidents and 88 people were seriously injured, 339 suffered moderate injuries and 495 others sustained minor injuries.
Brig Al Mazroui said that the main reason behind deaths in accidents was sudden swerving though several awareness campaigns have been held to warn drivers about its dangers.
“It is a dangerous offence though motorists think it is not,” Brig Al Mazroui added.
Sudden swerving caused 342 accidents and caused the deaths of 28 people and injuries to 373 others. The traffic fine for sudden swerving is Dh1,000 and four traffic points.
Police once again urged motorists to give priority to pedestrians at crossings and asked people to cross roads only from designated areas. As many as 23 pedestrians were killed in run-over accidents this year.
“Drivers still commit serious offences like using the mobile phone while driving or not keeping to the lanes meant for light vehicles. We want drivers to be more careful while driving and follow speed limits and traffic instructions all the time,” Brig Al Mazroui said.
New rules and decisions have been introduced and several traffic awareness campaigns conducted by Dubai Police and the Ministry of Interior to reduce road fatalities. Among them is reducing the speed limit to 110km/h on Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Road and Emirates Road in Dubai after studies showed these two highways witness large volumes of traffic and are hotspots for accidents. The reduced speed limit came into force on October 15, 2017.
