DUBAI // Drunk drivers killed four people and injured 31 in 142 accidents involving 258 vehicles in Dubai in the first six months of the year.
The injured were 18 drivers, nine passengers and four pedestrians.
Driving under the influence of drugs caused nine accidents involving 15 cars, resulting in one death and seven injuries.
Maj Gen Mohammed Said Al Zafeen, director of the general department of traffic at Dubai Police, said the victims in drunk-driving accidents were usually innocent occupants of other cars.
In the same period last year, driving under the influence of alcohol was to blame for 160 accidents leading to three deaths and several injuries, and driving under the influence of drugs caused 21 accidents with no deaths and only one injury.
Although the number of accidents reported has dropped, significantly more drivers were arrested and charged in the first half of this year: 474 compared with 304 in the same period last year.
Dubai Police will continue to carry out field control campaigns to root out offenders, said Maj Gen Al Zafeen.
The emirate’s traffic control units are equipped with special surveillance and alcohol detection tools.
Maj Gen Al Zafeen said severe legal measures would be taken against anyone caught driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
