DUBAI // The number of children injured in car crashes on Dubai roads has dropped by almost 13 per cent during the first eight months of this year.
So far this year, 108 children, aged one to 15, have been injured in car accidents compared with 124 during the same period last year, according to the latest traffic statistics.
This year, five children have died in car accidents compared with six last year. There have been nine severe injuries, the same as last year.
Major Omar Ashur, the head of accident investigation department at the traffic police, said several factors contributed to the drop, especially a programme which deployed traffic officers outside schools which resulted in reduction of accidents around the schools.
"Other factors which contributed is the campaign which promoted that children should sit in the back seats, increased commitment by the public towards safety belts, increased traffic patrols and the laying of humps in residential areas," said Maj Ashur.
Increased traffic inspection in youth gathering places as well as several traffic awareness programmes also contributed to the drop, according to Maj Ashur.