Dubai: An Emirati man who succumbed to critical injuries early yesterday morning became the seventh victim of traffic accidents since the beginning of this month, a senior traffic official in Dubai said.
The victim was escorting his 22-year-old compatriot when the accident occurred "due to reckless and inattentive driving" around 3.25am on Dubai Bypass Road, Senior Chief Traffic Prosecutor Salah Bu Farousha, Head of Dubai Traffic Public Prosecution (TPP), said.
Bu Farousha called on all motorists and road users to "constantly drive safely, attentively and lawfully".
"We often caution drivers and road users to be attentive while driving or using the roads. Every person sitting behind a steering wheel should consider the safety of others. The best way to do so is to abide by traffic laws and regulations frequently… we are sending out this warning since seven persons have died in traffic accidents since the beginning of March," Bu Farousha said.
Driver detained
The 22-year-old Emirati driver, who sustained serious injuries in yesterday's accident, has been placed under provisional detention while he receives treatment at Rashid Hospital.
In terms of statistics, Bu Farousha said that two persons had died in separate accidents caused by failing to pay attention to the safety of road users.
Five others died in separate accidents that were caused by the vehicle swerving and hitting a lamp post, a car overturning, failing to keep a safe distance between cars, sudden swerving and hitting a road sign, and driving into a road without ensuring that it was empty.
Bu Farousha said: "According to on-site inspections that were carried out by Prosecutor Hamad Al Ali, the accident happened after the 22-year-old driver swerved and hit a concrete barrier on Bypass Road. Then, the car bounced and hit a road sign due to the sudden swerving.
"The driver and the passenger who accompanied him sustained critical injuries. Rescue teams and traffic police rushed to the accident site… the two men were rushed to Rashid Hospital. The passenger succumbed to his injuries shortly after arrival. Traffic prosecutors will question the 22-year-old driver, who remains in custody."
