Sharp drop in UAE road traffic deaths, new figures show

Better road signs, improved road surfaces and speed restrictions have helped reduce accident numbers

Beema is a digital car insurance company created through the Enoc Next accelerator programme in partnership with Axa. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Traffic fatalities in the UAE have fallen by 34 per cent in five years, new figures show.

The number of serious road traffic accidents in the Emirates also fell by 24 per cent over the same period, statistics from the Ministry of Interior showed.

About 470 people were killed on UAE roads last year, with the number of serious traffic accidents recorded at 3,712.

The drop in numbers has been attributed to upgraded traffic control measures including better road signs, improved road surfaces and speed restrictions.

The introduction of a points system for reckless driving and the threat of imprisonment for serious breaches are also thought to have reduced accidents.

The UAE was ranked first in a global index of road quality for five consecutive years since 2014, the World Economic Forum said.

The Ministry of Interior revealed last month that 100 deaths were caused by burst tyres across the UAE in 2018.

Burst tyres also caused 785 accidents on the nation’s roads in 2018, resulting in more than 1,100 injuries.

Meanwhile, Dubai Police are continuing to work to reduce the number of incidents on the roads, and are urging drivers to help them record zero accidents when pupils return to school next week.

From September 2 to coincide with the start of the new term, motorists who sign an online pledge to take better care on the roads could also enjoy a 50 per cent discount on vehicle confiscation fees if they keep their promise.

The rewards campaign, which was launched in 2018, aims to make the emirate’s roads safer by reducing accident rates across the city.