Two killed daily in UAE crashes in last five years

abu dhabi — An average of two persons were killed daily in crashes on the UAE roads in the past five years, official statistics released by the Ministry of Interior have revealed. The figures from 2014 to 2018 revealed that 3,123 people were killed and 31,829 injured in the crashes.

According to the report, 468 deaths were recorded in 2018 as compared to 543 in 2017 — a decrease of 13.8 per cent. In 2016, there were 725 road deaths; while 2015 recorded 675. In 2014, 712 people were killed on UAE roads.

Most of the accident victims were youths aged between 18 and 30 years. They were blamed for causing many of the accidents, according to traffic authorities.

Speeding, fatigue, recklessness, changing lanes suddenly, jumping red lights, tailgating and inattentiveness — especially resulting from the use of mobile phones while driving — caused most of the accidents.

According to the ministry, the mortality rate for every 100,000 people in the country fell from 4.52 in 2017 to 3.83 in 2018. The aim is to reduce this to three deaths per 100,000 people.

Traffic authorities attributed the drop in fatalities to the increased road safety awareness among drivers, increase in law enforcement by traffic authorities, quick emergency response, improvement in infrastructure, especially roads, and vehicle safety resulting from the mandatory annual inspections.

The Ministry of Interior said they have over the years conducted awareness campaigns and prepared comprehensive plans in order to intensify traffic control on both internal and external roads across the country.

Traffic officers stressed the importance of following laws and regulations. Pedestrians have also been reminded to cross the roads only from designated points.

Mobile phone use an ‘addiction’ among motorists

The use of mobile phones while driving has become an “addiction” for many motorists, especially the youth, traffic authorities have said.

A recent survey conducted by the Department of Security Information at the Ministry of Interior revealed that 70 per cent of the respondents believed that the use of mobile phones while driving was the most common cause of distraction to drivers. About 12 per cent of the respondents said the use of makeup while driving caused distraction among female drivers.

According to traffic authorities, motorists who use their phones while driving get distracted and this could lead them to change lanes suddenly, drive below the minimum speed limit, especially on highways, and jump red lights.