ABU DHABI // Fatal road accidents in the UAE dropped by 23 per cent and injuries by 21 per cent in the first six months of this year, compared with the same period last year, according to official figures. Accidents involving vehicles in collision with another, or overturning, also fell by 25 per cent, said Colonel Ghaith Al Za'abi, Director General of Traffic Coordination Administration, Ministry of Interior. He said: "Statistics show a decline of traffic mishaps across the Emirates to 3,581 in the first six months of 2010 from 5,032 in the same period in 2009. "[This] led to a slump in fatalities and injuries to 391 and 4,372 from 495 and 5,652 respectively in the period under review. "Emirate-wise, Abu Dhabi reported a shrink of 26 per cent in traffic accidents from 1,631 in the January-June period 2009 to 1,211 in the same half of 2010. This brought traffic death toll down from 216 to 174 and injuries from 1,908 to 1,756." In Dubai, he said, traffic accidents dropped to 1,915 in the first half of 2009 to 1,358 in the corresponding half in this year. The number of people who died or were injured in traffic accidents dropped by 25 and 51 per cent, respectively. Sharjah saw a decrease of 18.5 per cent in road accidents in the first six months, year-on-year In Ajman traffic accidents and deaths fells by 22 and 31 per cent respectively, but injuries rose by 11 per cent. For Umm Al Qaiwain, traffic accidents fell by 21 per cent but the tally of those lost their lives and sustained casualties surged 11 and 9 per cent respectively. Traffic accidents decreased 25 per cent in Ras Al Khaimah. Death toll and injuries went down 23 and 10 per cent. "Mortality rate in Fujairah increased 12.5 per cent against a 27 per cent decrease in injuries," said added. The figures showed that collisions fell from 3,323 to 2,544, vehicles turning over dropped from 573 to 442, and collisions involving a pedestrians dropped from 1,011 to 733. Dubai eclipsed the other emirates in the total number of accidents, recording 1,358, followed by Abu Dhabi with 1,211. Colonel Al Za'abi said the decline in road accidents, fatalities and injuries to the ministry's road safety programmes . "Massive deployment of traffic patrols on the roads across the country, and enforcement of black points system, have had positive impact on observance of traffic rules,'' he said. "Tightening the noose on reckless and hostile motorists through a set of deterrent measures and aggressive traffic awareness campaigns targeting all road users were among many factors led to that positive outcome."
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