Fatalities on Abu Dhabi’s roads have dropped in last five years

ABU DHABI // Road fatalities have declined by 30 per cent in the past five years, Abu Dhabi Police says.

Statistics released by the police traffic and patrols department showed the number of traffic fatalities dropped from 409 to 289.

Serious injuries fell from 483 to 366, while pedestrian fatalities decreased by 60 per cent, from 118 to 48.

The number of traffic accidents resulting in injuries decreased by 33 per cent, from 3,086 to 2,071 accidents.

These numbers have been registered despite a 45 per cent rise in the number of registered vehicles in the same period, from 601,208 to 873,243.

Brig Hussein Al Harithi, director of the traffic and patrols department, said this improvement was due to a new traffic-radar system.

“A new comprehensive automated traffic-control system is being developed to capture traffic law violators,” said Brig Al Harithi.

“Locations will be selected determining the risk levels on roads every 5 kilometres.”

He said infrared speed cameras were being installed at junctions to catch drivers who speed up to drive through a red light.

As part of the programme, 150 light-controlled junctions will be fitted with surveillance cameras in Abu Dhabi. Fifty of them are already operating.