Road deaths on dangerous routes drop 23 per cent in Abu Dhabi

Senior police say the drop in fatalities on Abu Dhabi roads was caused by more patrols and radars, and signs clearly showing speed limits. Sammy Dallal / The National

ABU DHABI // Deaths on the emirate’s 10 most dangerous roads dropped by 23 per cent last year, to 120 from 156 in 2013.

Senior police said the drop in fatalities was caused by more patrols and radars, and signs clearly showing speed limits.

“Any reduction in deaths and injuries is always welcome,” said Dino Kalivas, the International Road Federation’s chairman of driver education and training.

“And we should acknowledge the commitment of the UAE authorities in improving road safety.”

Brig Hussein Al Harthi, head of traffic police, said last year’s figures showed the Abu Dhabi-Al Sila Road was the most dangerous, with 150 accidents, 47 killed and 37 severely injured.

Brig Al Harthi listed the other nine as: Abu Dhabi-Al Ain Road; Al Ain-Dubai Road; Abu Dhabi-Al Ain truck Road; Gayathi Road; new Madinat Zayed Road; the Abu Dhabi-Dubai truck road; the Abu Dhabi International Airport Road, which is the extension of Al Khaleej Al Arabi Street; Hameem Street; and Sweihan Road.

The number of traffic accidents on these roads has fallen by 11 per cent to 575 last year, from 645 in 2013.

And the number of severe injuries decreased by 40 per cent.

“The Abu Dhabi-Al Ain Road was the second most deadly road with 184 accidents that resulted in 28 deaths and seven severe injuries,” Brig Al Harthi said.

“The Abu Dhabi-Dubai truck road registered 14 deaths as a result of 37 accidents, while Sweihan Road witnessed 11 deaths from 61 accidents.”

Accidents included collisions, loss of vehicle control and pedestrians being run over.

Sudden swerving, failing to maintain a safe distance between vehicles, exceeding the speed limit, tyre blowouts, carelessness and inattention were the major causes.

Brig Al Harthi said enforcement of laws had been increased on the 10 roads as part of Abu Dhabi's traffic awareness plan for 2015.

Mr Kalivas said reasons in the reduced number of deaths included improved and new roads, better traffic lights, more pedestrian walkways, improved driver behaviour, faster response by emergency services, greater police presence, safer vehicles and awareness campaigns.

“Drivers in Abu Dhabi are making greater effort to drive with greater responsibility by taking fewer risks and respecting traffic laws,” he said.

Elsa Fortuna, 43, a driver with Emirates Taxi for five years, said she came across fewer traffic accidents in Abu Dhabi last year.

“I think it’s mostly due to the new radar cameras, patrolling and the enforcement of traffic rules,” Ms Fortuna said. “We taxi drivers are very careful not to run red lights or go beyond the speed limit because we may lose our jobs.”

But swerving between lanes is still common on the road, she said.

“I drive for about 10 hours every day and I’ve noticed that unsafe lane changing is quite common,” Ms Fortuna said.

“Drivers need to learn how to perform a lane change correctly to avoid traffic accidents.”

Mr Kalivas said Abu Dhabi’s licensing and traffic department and the Emirates Driving Company had made good progress in training standards and courses, including one drivers can take to have black points removed from their licences.

Brig Al Harthi urged motorists to adhere to traffic laws, leave a safe distance between vehicles, be alert while driving and stick to the speed limit.