Abu Dhabi: The number of deaths from run over accidents across the emirate in the first nine months of 2012 has reduced compared to the same period in 2011, a senior police official said.
Forty-six46 people were killed this year in run over incidents between January 1 and September 30, compared to 58 deaths over the same period in 2011.
This represents a 20.7 per cent reduction, the official said while revealing the figures at a meeting of the Committee to Reduce Accidents within the emirate, which is part of the Abu Dhabi Police Traffic and Patrols Directorate.
Colonel Hamad Al Ameri, director of the Abu Dhabi Police Traffic and Patrol Directorate, said the reduction in run over accidents was a result of the efforts of police officials in Abu Dhabi city, Al Ain and Al Gharbia (Western Region).
“Between January 1 and September 30 in 2011, the rate of run over accidents was 20 per cent less compared to the same time in 2010. This year, police efforts have reduced the rate even further,” Colonel Al Ameri said.
According to the official, the main causes for pedestrian run overs are reckless driving, not prioritising pedestrians, being distracted while driving, reversing and speeding.
Nearly 65 per cent of the victims in run over accidents in 2012 were Asians. About 32 per cent of these run over incidents occurred in the morning, while 30 per cent occurred in the evening.
Colonel Al Ameri also said that the Abu Dhabi Police were currently involved in building 17 new pedestrian bridges across the emirate, in collaboration with the municipality.
“Ten of these bridges are already under construction, and work on the rest will begin soon,” he said.
The official also said run over accidents in industrial areas had reduced due to the presence of two new pedestrian bridges in Mussafah, including one near Zaafaranah Market and another near the etisalat office.
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