DUBAI // More than 150 people have been killed in road incidents in Dubai in 2014, an increase from 147 during the first 11 months of last year.
“Although we have so far recorded more fatalities than the year before, the road death index remains relatively the same, which is a good thing,” said Maj Gen Mohammed Al Zafeen, head of the Federal Traffic Council.
“Of course, road deaths are never a positive thing, but considering the increase of residents and vehicles in the emirate, the road death index is good.”
He said that Dubai Police recorded more than 2,000 traffic incidents since the beginning of the year, with car crashes remaining the most prevalent incidents.
“Of the 2,330 accidents recorded so far, 1,561 were of car crashes, 276 were of sudden swerving, and 122 incidents involved vehicles flipping over,” he said, adding that speeding remains the number one reason for road incidents.
Gen Al Zafeen said the authorities recorded more than 2.2 million traffic violations since the beginning of the year, with more than half issued to motorists caught by radars.
He said that most violations, 83 per cent, were recorded in absentia, while 17 per cent were recorded on the spot by on duty officers.
“We have recorded 2,255,343 traffic violations, of which 59 per cent were either running a red light or driving over the speed limit,” he said.
“There were 1,312,594 violations of light vehicles speeding, 7,880 of heavy vehicles speeding, and 12,030 incidents of motorists running red lights.”
Most road incidents involved male drivers, 90.18 per cent, while just 8.71 per cent involved female motorists.
Meanwhile, 48 new radars were installed in Dubai this year, bringing the total to 425.
“It is imperative that people abide by the traffic laws, which are set to keep you and others safe on the road,” said Gen Al Zafeen.
dmoukhallati@thenational.ae
