Young, male Emiratis more likely to be involved in car accidents

Research by UAE University and the College of Medicine and Health Sciences (CMHS) looked at patients admitted to Al Ain Hospital and Tawam Hospital after being injured in traffic accidents over an 18-month period.

Of the 333 hospital patients, who had an average age of 20, 87 per cent were male and 72 per cent were Emiratis, the study found. Wam

ABU DHABI // Young Emirati men are the group most likely to be involved in car accidents in Al Ain, a study of patients admitted to the city’s hospitals has found.

Research by UAE University and the College of Medicine and Health Sciences looked at patients admitted to Al Ain Hospital and Tawam Hospital after being injured in traffic accidents over 18 months.

Of the 333 patients, who had an average age of 20, 87 per cent were male and 72 per cent were Emiratis.

The study authors – Michal Grivna, Hani Eid and Fikri Abu Zidan, all from the college – said its findings highlighted the “need for culturally relevant, evidence-based educational programmes” aimed at young Emirati drivers.

“Traffic-related injuries are the most common cause of death among youth in the Middle East,” the study said. “Despite legislation and increased enforcement in the UAE, the use of restraints among the youth is still very low.

“Information on traffic-related injuries requiring hospitalisation for this age group in our region is highly needed.”

The average crash speed was 97.2kph, with 42 per cent of the vehicles exceeding the 100kph speed limit at the time of the accident. Eighty-three per cent of accidents happened on motorways or suburban streets, with 34 per cent occurring in the evening. One fifth of the crashes happened on a Friday.

Eighty per cent of those thrown from a vehicle suffered head injuries and only 12 per cent of drivers and 4 per cent of front-seat passengers were wearing seat belts at the time of the crash. No back-seat passengers were wearing seat belts.

Not wearing a seat belt “poses a serious risk to all occupants,” the research said. “There is a high risk of severe injury and fatality for unrestrained passengers, especially in front collisions and rollovers.”

At present, only those seated in the front of a vehicle are required by law to buckle up. By July 1, it will be mandatory for back-seat passengers to belt up, as part of the new traffic laws.

Dr Daniel Albuquerque, assistant professor of Transport Engineering at the university, agreed that better road safety programmes are much needed.

“Investing heavily in culture-changing media campaigns to promote safer driving among the young needs to be a top priority,” Dr Albuquerque said. “However, campaigns do not produce meaningful results overnight. Campaigns aim to change driving culture, and cultural changes take time. Keeping an eye on safety measures that produce more immediate results is a good idea.”

Dr Albuquerque, who is also the co-ordinator of the roadway, transport and traffic safety research centre at the university, suggested focusing on ways to cut speeds such as traffic calming measures, extensive use of speed cameras, heavier fines, and more police patrols at strategic locations.

The study also highlighted a series of “specific risk factors” for road injuries among young drivers – inexperience, emotional factors, overestimating driving skills, greater willingness to take risks, and “response to peer pressure”.

Distracted driving was another contributory factor, with 5 per cent of injured drivers surveyed having been on their mobile phones when the accident happened.