Dubai, Sharjah see smooth holiday traffic flow, fewer accidents

DUBAI/SHARJAH — The traffic police of Dubai and Sharjah confirmed that no fatal traffic accidents were reported in either emirate during the Eid holidays. Major Ahmed Oqail, director of the Centre for Command and Control at Dubai Police, said that the police stations investigated 1,346 minor and moderate accidents which resulted in injuries. He noted that the Dubai police operations room received 15,263 calls during the three days of Eid, reporting accidents and various kinds of crimes. He attributed the lack of fatal accidents this Eid to the improving traffic culture through awareness campaigns carried out by the Dubai Police, aimed at educating the public about safety rules. In Sharjah, only three serious accidents were reported, causing moderate to serious injuries. Brigadier Ali Salem Al Khayyam, Director General of Central Operations, Sharjah Police, said that as part of the Ministry of Interior’s strategy to make roads safer, the Sharjah Police Department of Traffic and Patrols managed to reduce road accidents in the emirate during the festival period. The Sharjah central operations room received 12,716 phone calls reporting crimes and accidents during the EId holidays. Of these, 10,099 calls were made on the emergency number 999, while 2,617 non-emergency calls were received on 901, regarding general inquiries and police services provided during the holiday. Brig Al Khayyam added that the Eid holiday was marked by smooth, uninterrupted traffic flow on all the emirate’s roads, thanks to the efforts of the traffic patrols, including the 90 patrols deployed to monitor the roads and crowded areas. The recent spurt in traffic awareness messages disseminated through social media have played a great role in reducing accidents, he added. The officials of the police departments of both emirates urged the public to call 999 for emergencies and crimes and 901 for non-emergency cases such enquiries on clearance certificates issuance, body burial permission, registering for the home safety programme, etc.