ROAD DEATHS DIVE IN ABU DHABI
The number of people killed in road accidents involving lorries has fallen to 13 during January-August from 31 deaths in the same period in 2016, according to the Abu Dhabi Traffic and Patrols Directorate.
abu dhabi — As many as 69 motorists have been ordered to perform community services for various traffic offences since March 2017. Also on Saturday, traffic authorities said accidents involving heavy trucks are on the decline in national capital.
The Abu Dhabi Judicial Department said the introduction of community service penalties in March has also led to a significant decrease in the number of drivers being prosecuted for reckless driving.
Officials said 20 motorists have been prosecuted over reckless driving during the first six months of 2017 compared to 35 during last year.
Abdullah Al Mansouri, director of Abu Dhabi Traffic Prosecution, said: “We had earlier tried to reduce the rate of traffic crimes by increasing the penalties, especially fines and jail sentences of less than three months.
“However, we found out that after serving the sentences the drivers were committing the violations again.
“That’s why authorities decided to introduce the community service as penalty and it’s proving to be effective as the number of people being prosecuted for traffic violations has decreased.”
The official made the comments during a session titled ‘The legislative amendments and their impact on traffic crimes’ which was recently held at the Judicial Department.
58% drop in truck accidents
Traffic authorities on Saturday said the number of people killed in road accidents that involved lorries have decreased by 58 per cent with 13 deaths during the months of January to August, from 31 deaths recorded in the same period in 2016.
The latest figures say 13 people have been killed and six injured in 54 accidents involving heavy trucks on various roads of Abu Dhabi in the first eight months of 2017.
The figures also revealed that major injuries resulting from heavy truck accidents also declined by 63 per cent — from 16 injuries last year to six in 2017.
The number of road crashes involving heavy duty trucks also dropped by 54 per cent from 118 accidents in 2016 to 54 during the last eight months of this year, according to traffic authorities.
Brigadier Salim Abdullah bin Barak Al Dhaheri, director of the traffic department at Abu Dhabi Traffic and Patrols Directorate, said: “The decline in the number of fatalities was as a result of the continuous measures taken by the traffic police. More speed cameras and radars on roads, deployed more police patrol cars and reduced the maximum speed for trucks on motorways.”
“Truck drivers should adhere to the traffic laws including abiding by the speed limit which is 80kilometre per hour for heavy vehicles. He also warned truck drivers against unlawful overtaking which will incur fine of Dh1,500.
ismail@khaleejtimes.com