2 deaths, over 1,200 accidents across 3 emirates during Eid
sharjah — Two deaths were reported in Sharjah due to traffic accidents during the Eid holidays. Over 1,200 accidents were reported in three emirates — Sharjah, Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah.
A total of 11 road accidents, including nine serious accidents, were also reported during the time.
One of the deaths was caused by speeding, when the driver lost control over the vehicle and crashed his car into a nearby building. The other death happened when a 35-year-old Asian, who crossed a six-lane road in the emirate, was run over by a vehicle.
Dr Col Ahmed Saeed Al Naoor, deputy director of the central operations department of the Sharjah Police, said the traffic and patrol department managed to control the traffic and curb accidents as part of the Ministry of Interior’s strategy to mark the UAE roads safest in the world.
He also said the operations room received 24,156 calls to report crimes and other accidents. “A total of 20,460 calls were received at 999 for emergency cases and 3,686 calls were received at 901 to report nonemergency incidents or inquiries about public services provided during Eid,” he said.
Dr Col Al Naoor said the calls received by the Sharjah Police Central Operations room were classified according to their importance and all the calls were immediately transferred to the designated department.
“The traffic during the Eid Al Fitr holidays was smooth on all the roads of Sharjah. This was a result of the efforts exerted by the police in deploying patrols to organise the traffic —186 patrols were deployed,” he said.
In Dubai
A total number of 905 traffic accidents were recorded during the Eid Al Fitr holidays, from Friday morning until Sunday afternoon, according to the command and control room of the Dubai Police.
Colonel Turki bin Fares, director of the command and control room of the Dubai Police, said they received 26,667 phone calls on 901 and 999 during the holidays. “The Events Insurance Committee had set up traffic plans to reduce congestion in cooperation with the Roads and Transport Authority Dubai. This was under the directives of Major-General Abdullah Khalifa Al Marri, Commander-in-Chief of the Dubai Police,” he said.
According to Col Fares, most of the incidents recorded were minor to moderate and were caused due to speed driving, not leaving insufficient distance between vehicles, neglect and lack of attention. He called on drivers to adhere to the rules while changing lanes and avoid driving mistakes, especially while entering road intersections.
In Ras Al Khaimah
As many as 289 traffic accidents occurred in Ras Al Khaimah during the Eid Al Fitr holidays. The operations room of the RAK Police has also handled 4,832 phone calls, according to a senior officer.
Brigadier Salem Rabea Bu Khatameen Al Suwaidi, acting director-general of the central operations room, said all the reported road accidents were minor. “There is also a 40 per cent drop in traffic accidents compared to the last year.”
The police had deployed 75 traffic and security patrols all over the emirate to ensure public safety and security, he added. “These are apart from over 120,000 surveillance cameras covering every nook and corner of the emirate to curb reckless people and ensure people’s happiness and satisfaction,” said Brig Al Suwaidi.