DUBAI // The number of people killed on Sharjah’s roads during the first three weeks of Ramadan increased from three to five compared with the same period last year, despite a drop in crashes.
Of the 22 accidents this year an additional five people were seriously injured and 23 left with minor to moderate injuries.
Twenty-six accidents last year left three dead, five seriously injured and 33 people with slight injuries.
In response, Sharjah Police have launched a campaign and will deploy additional patrols in residential areas.
Col Shawaf Abdul Rahman, head of Sharjah Police’s traffic department, said the campaign aims to raise awareness among civilians and motorists and to remind them to always abide by traffic rules and instructions given by traffic police “who are deployed in all the emirate’s roads”.
Areas of focus will include places that draw crowds, including markets, said Col Rahman. “This is to ensure there are no accidents that will spoil the joy of families during this joyous holiday.”
Pamphlets containing basic information on road safety will be handed out, and Col Rahman warned people not to be in breach of the law.
“Sharjah Police will not take it easy on anyone that violates the law, especially those driving recklessly and not abiding by the traffic policemen’s instructions.”
Similar moves to reduce accidents over the period will be made in Dubai, with extra patrols sent out to residential areas, to keep a watch out for jaywalkers, and near mosques, said Col Saif Al Mazrouei, director of Dubai Police’s traffic department.
“The traffic department will be taking extra security measures in the last days of Ramadan and during Eid Al Fitr, during which patrols will be deployed to markets and crowded places as well as highways,” Col Saif Al Mazrouei said.
“Motorists should take precautions and be careful as well as slow down on the roads, especially those in residential areas and near mosques, which are very crowded in the last days of Ramadan and during Eid Al Fitr.
“The department will deploy more patrols in the evenings to monitor vehicles and motorcycles that violate traffic rules and put a stop to this negative behaviour.”
Earlier this year Dubai Police launched a campaign to reduce the number of run-over deaths after 11 pedestrians were killed and 98 injured in 94 accidents – all during the first three months of the year.
A further 24,085 fines for the offence were handed out to people over the same period.
Instead of pamphlets, police in Dubai will hand out Eid Al Fitr cards “congratulating people [on the holiday]”, and warning them “not to ruin this social and religious joy”.
“The cards will carry slogans and advice to raise awareness on road safety and to secure lives and property,” said Col Al Mazrouei.
“This initiative is to show that Dubai Police is not just a security apparatus, but a contributor to the joy by handing out congratulatory cards carrying slogans that are meaningful and with love.”
In order to support police in their campaign to reduce accidents, Col Al Mazrouei reminded motorists to refrain from speeding, reckless driving and abusing the hard shoulder.
“Dubai Police’s traffic department will double its efforts in the last days of Ramadan and Eid Al Fitr to provide security and safety during this joyous period and to protect lives and property. I hope that the streets and roads will witness a decrease in accidents during this period.”
Anyone who witnesses a road safety breach should call Dubai Police’s free hotline on 8004353.
dmoukhallati@thenational.ae
