23% reduction in deaths on 10 most dangerous roads
Traffic accidents on these roads in Abu Dhabi decreased by 11%, official says
Abu Dhabi: Traffic deaths on the 10 most dangerous roads in the emirate of Abu Dhabi decreased by 23 per cent during 2014 in comparison to the same period the year before.
The Traffic and Patrols Directorate at the Abu Dhabi Police attributed this success to intensified field efforts through increased patrols, radars, and mounted radar speed limit signs.
Brig Eng Hussain Ahmad Al Harithi, Director of Traffic and Patrols Directorate, explained that the 10 most dangerous roads in Abu Dhabi are the Abu Dhabi-Al Sila Road, Abu Dhabi-Al Ain Road, Al Ain-Dubai Road, Abu Dhabi-Al Ain truck Road, Gayathi Road, the new Madinat Zayed Road, Abu Dhabi–Dubai Truck road, International Airport Road, Hameem Street and Sweihan Road.
He also noted that traffic accidents on these roads have declined by 11 per cent, from 645 reported incidents in 2013 to 575 incidents in 2014. Mortality rates also went down by 23 per cent from 156 deaths in 2013 to 120 in 2014; and incidents resulting in severe injuries plummeted by 40 per cent.
Additionally, the expert pointed out that traffic control has been intensified on these roads by increasing the number of traffic patrols and traffic investigation civil patrols. These steps are to ensure compliance with traffic laws to reduce the causes of traffic accidents, and to reduce the subsequent deaths and serious injuries that follow these accidents. He also stressed that the efforts to intensify awareness are an implementation of the traffic awareness plan of 2015.
Calling upon motorists, he said: “All drivers, and especially those driving on the above mentioned roads, must abide by the traffic laws, maintain a sufficient, safe distance between vehicles at all times, pay attention, and commit to the designated speed limits.”
The Traffic and Patrols Directorate has organised an initiative to study the causes of the increase in the death toll on these roads in order to implement future plans to reduce the number of accidents and deaths. The study involved the engineering aspects of these roads in addition to traffic control, speed limits, and driver education.
