Abu Dhabi: The enrolment of Emirati youth, one of the largest groups of traffic accident perpetrators, into mandatory military enrolment has led to a 42 per cent reduction in traffic accidents during the first quarter of this year in comparison with the same period in 2014, the Abu Dhabi Traffic Prosecution revealed.
Speaking during a media round-table in Abu Dhabi today, Counsellor Rashid Al Niyadi, from the Traffic Prosecution in Abu Dhabi, detailed the various traffic offences and their percentages.
Jumping red lights accounts for 25 per cent of all major road accidents during the first quarter of this year. “This makes them the largest cause of major road accidents. One of the many reasons why people commit this crime is because they might be under the influence of medication that can cause drowsiness, including medications that do not require prescriptions,” said Al Niyadi.
Speeding, meanwhile, was the cause of 22 per cent of major road accidents during the first quarter of this year.
“Speeding is not exclusive to just going over the speed limit. It could be that a person is driving at 50km/h on a 60km/h road, but has not considered possible conditions such as congestion and traffic. This knowledge and ability to assess how fast you can drive on a road without causing harm to others comes with experience and familiarity with the particular street,” Al Niyadi explained.
Another 22 per cent of major road incidents this year were run-overs, mainly due to drivers’ failure to give pedestrians right of way. According to Al Niyadi, there is a rule that exempts pedestrians from being required to use zebra crossings near hospitals, residential areas and schools streets, where the speed limit is under 60km/h.
“I also believe that the current penalty for drivers who do not allow pedestrians to cross — Dh500 — is not sufficient. There is an ongoing project to amend the traffic law in order to increase the financial and penal punishment for such drivers. This will become active within the next two years,” he said.
The other percentage brought to light was driving under the influence of alcohol or other mind-altering drugs. This makes up 12 per cent of major traffic accidents during the first quarter of this year.
“We see people every day driving under the influence [of alcohol], and the 12 per cent only accounts for major accidents, not all types [of accidents]. Thankfully, these individuals usually cause property damage and injuries but no deaths,” Al Niyadi added.
Finally, swerving caused 11 per cent of road incidents during the first quarter of this year with failure to leave a safe distance between vehicles coming in a close second at 10 per cent.
“If a person tailgates another and thus causes an accident, the perpetrator will be charged with negligence and recklessness rather than refraining from leaving a safe distance. This is because such acts endanger the lives of others and usually cause the motorist being tailgated to feel nervous,” Al Niyadi said.
