Toll of 23 on Dubai's deadly artery

We identify the most dangerous roads in Dubai and Sharjah.

DUBAI // Twenty-three people were killed in car accidents on Emirates Road in Dubai last year, making it the most dangerous street in the city, according to traffic authorities.

Dubai Police said this was because the road was used by both passenger cars and lorries, which made accidents riskier and caused more deaths and serious injuries.

Emirates Road is one of the busiest in the country, with an average of 288,000 vehicles passing in one direction in rush hour, according to police estimates.

Sheikh Zayed Road is the second-deadliest, with 15 deaths last year, followed by Dubai Bypass Road with 11. Seven people died on the Al Ain-Dubai Road, and six on Al Khail Road.

More than 30 black spots have been listed across Dubai, and action has been taken at several sites, with bridges, pedestrian crossings, speed bumps and radar stations installed, and dangerous junctions shut down.

Other danger zones include the Jebel Ali-Al Hebab Road, Al Wasl Road and the Floating Bridge intersection.

Dubai Police increased patrols last year in a safety campaign aimed at achieving a zero death rate per 100,000 inhabitants by 2020. Last year's accident toll was about eight per 100,000, officials said.

In Sharjah, the roads recording the most accidents were Al Arouba Street, Al Ittihad Road, Emirates Road, Al Dhaid Road and Maleha Road, according to Col Mohammed Eid al Madhloom, the director of operations at Sharjah Police.

The roundabouts with the most registered accidents were the Cultural and Al Zahara roundabouts.

"We have now installed traffic lights on these two roundabouts and are working with the Ministry of Public Works to install these lights on other roundabouts," Col al Madhloom said.

"We have police patrol units helping traffic flow on some roundabouts, like the Central Souq and Al Khan roundabouts, during the busy traffic hours."