Unified national traffic strategy endorsed

A unified national traffic strategy to limit traffic accidents and the accompanying fatalities and property loss has been endorsed by the Ministry of Interior.

This was revealed yesterday by Col. Saleh Ali Al Mutawa, commander-in chief, Sharjah Police. The approved traffic strategy, prepared at the federal level and recently approved by the Ministry, will contribute significantly towards solving traffic problems in the country, he said.

"The national strategy addresses four primary factors: spreading awareness and information, paying attention to vehicles and roads, enhancing medical emergency services, and working towards prevention and legislation," he explained.

He said that each of the four factors will be closely studied and assessed in order to carry out the required developments and upgradings.

The ministry will closely observe the implementation of the unified national strategy and will extend its support and directions whenever needed, he added.

Col. Al Mutawa wished success to the committees that have been formed and entrusted with implementing the strategy's objectives.

He said the increasing number of traffic accident fatalities in the country places the onus of responsibility on all organisations and institutions - and not only the police departments - to help control this phenomenon, which has come about due to the well constructed highways, allowing speeding drivers to terrorise other road users.

The ministry and the police departments, he noted, extend continuous and intensive efforts to find successful solutions to face the effects and results of traffic accidents which threaten economic, social and human life and exhaust the capabilities of the country.

"More than 14,000 people have been killed in traffic accidents in the UAE during the past 20 years, and Dh4 billion lost due to such accidents in the year 2000 alone," he pointed out.

"These figures demonstrate the huge losses, and the UAE's resources and capabilities will be further threatened if no mechanism is put in place to curb the increase in the number of traffic accidents and prevent them increasing."

He urged collaborative work to meet the challenge. The various initiatives implemented by police departments in the country have, however, succeeded in limiting traffic accidents and preventing their unbridled increase, he said, adding that the endorsement and approval by the ministry for implementing a unified strategy would give the process further impetus.

He pointed out that the 18th GCC Traffic Week celebrated early last month succeeded in increasing public awareness as it depended on practical measures including random checks carried out by Sharjah Police patrols on car condition and document formalities, and on creating media awareness.

He added that Sharjah Police adopted practical field check points following suggestions offered by the public to make the Traffic Week celebrations more practical and to depend on implementing specific procedures rather than just carry out awareness and information campaigns.

"Means of celebrating the GCC Traffic Week should also be modernised and upgraded to meet fast-paced changes in general," he added.