Rain-related accidents on the rise

Statistics compiled by Traffic Dep't at Traffic & Roads Agency of Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) revealed that only six people have been killed during rainy spells in the past three years, from 41 accidents.

Compared to this, the number of accidents registered during the first few hours of Tuesday morning was 584, according to Col. Omar Abdullah Al Shamsi, director of Command and Control Room at Dubai police headquarters.

Noting the gravity of the situation, RTA has urged all road users to exercise maximum caution during rainfall and wet ground conditions.

“Under such conditions the control of the vehicle will be an extremely difficult task; a matter that warrants curbing speed to the minimum levels. In view of these prevailing conditions motorists are allowed to drive on external roads at a speed less than 60 km/h and no offence will be reported against them,'' Engineer Maitha Bin Adai, CEO, RTA said.

Maitha revealed that rain-related traffic accidents over the last three years accounted for six fatalities, four serious injuries, 17 moderate injuries, and 13 light injuries. These casualties resulted from 41 traffic accidents that included 13 collisions with non-moving object, 8 run-over accidents, 3 overturn accidents, and 17 collision accidents. Victims included 18 drivers, 11 passengers, and 11 pedestrians.

She said that in 2005 there were 14 serious traffic accidents during the rainy season. They resulted in 15 casualties that included 1 death case, 10 moderate injuries, and 4 light injuries.

In 2006, there were 18 such serious traffic accidents resulting in four fatalities and 21 injuries.

2007 witnessed a drop in rainfall levels, resulting in a drop in serious rain-related accidents. Maitha said that 10 serious accidents took place during rainy periods, killing one and injuring four.