The Tarif Police Department in the Western Region has warned motorists against excessive speeding on the highway leading to Ghuaifat - the UAE's border with Saudi Arabia. Col Mohammed Butti Al Rumaithi, Director of the Tarif Police, issued this warning as part of the Ramadan road safety measures.

He called upon drivers to abide by speed limits on the highway, pointing out that 145 accidents had been recorded last Ramadan. "Drivers in the Western Region and those heading towards the Ghuaifat border post can play a vital role in making the region's road safe during Ramadan," he said.

"The young generation can play a greater role by taking utmost care while driving, to avoid causing accidents, thus helping maintain a peaceful atmosphere during the month." Al Rumaithi said young drivers were the main culprits behind road accidents last Ramadan.

He said Ramadan is a month of discipline, "therefore young people should maintain discipline in all aspects of life. Traffic rules and are most important, as they have been implemented to save lives".

Referring to last Ramadan's road accident record, he said five people were killed and 81 injured in 145 traffic-related accidents. Of the 145 accidents, 55 were caused by speeding. Among the injured, 68 were in a serious condition.

He said 64 accidents involved vehicles turning over. There were 33 collisions between moving and stationary vehicles, and 30 pile-ups. Al Rumaithi praised female drivers for abiding by traffic rules and regulations and said that of all the accidents last Ramadan, only one involved a female driver.

The Tarif Police covers an area almost half the size of UAE and its key police stations in the area include Tarif, Mirfa, Medinat Zayed, Liwa, Ruwais, Sila'a, Ghuaifat and Beda Mutawah.