ABU DHABI // The capital can build on its road safety efforts by demanding better driver behaviour and rigidly enforcing traffic laws, according to experts.
Speaking after a three-day road safety workshop hosted by Abu Dhabi Municipality in cooperation with the International Road Federation (IRF), Michael Dreznes, the body's executive vice president, said that the emirate was making progress in making roads more 'forgiving' so that people do not have to pay for the simple mistakes they make while driving with their lives.
While mistakes and crashes will occur, he explained forgiving roads were designed and constructed to avoid the consequences of driver error.
Unsafe driving behaviour, however, remained a challenge.
“This can only be overcome through continuous educational programmes and enforcement,” said Mr Dreznes, who has conducted road safety seminars in more than 50 countries. “The decision to make this happen has to come from the top.”
Salahedinne Bendak, a University of Sharjah associate professor, agreed. “Political commitment and support is essential,” he said. “However, changing anyone’s behaviour takes time and there should be realistic targets.”
Since 2003, Abu Dhabi has made significant advancements and investment in cutting deaths and injuries in the emirate by a half, according to Dino Kalivas, chairman of the IRF’s driver education and training committee.
“These were initiatives in the area of roads, licensing and driver training, infrastructure for pedestrians, enforcement of traffic laws, public education and safer vehicle standards,” he said.
Greater law enforcement in new technology to monitor speed and tailgating, live traffic updates and safety advice on electronic gantries would also help.
Driver education as part of the school curriculum, the creation of a safety culture for bus, taxi and heavy-vehicle drivers, knowledge of safety black spots and road improvement have formed the municipality’s workshop agenda.
Dr Bendak, who has published papers on tyre safety, seat-belt use and child restraints, said Abu Dhabi’s road design practices and law enforcement were gradually improving.
“But the road network has not kept pace with the population growth. This is putting pressure on available resources.”
Abu Dhabi Police statistics showed that there were 30 deaths in the year’s first quarter compared with 40 in the same period last year.
rruiz@thenational.ae
