Dubai: Slightly fewer people died in road accidents in the first three months of this year compared with the same period last year, Dubai’s top traffic prosecutor said. The number of deaths dropped from 48 to 45.
Dubai Traffic Public Prosecution (TPP) examined 42 fatal accidents between January 1 and March 31, 2013, compared with 41 during the same period this year, said Senior Chief Traffic Prosecutor Salah Bu Farousha, Head of TPP, on Wednesday.
“Out of the 48 deaths in 2013, 23 involved drivers who caused their own deaths. Meanwhile out of the 45 deaths in 2014, 15 drivers were killed. The statistics covered the two years’ first quarters [January 1 to March 31]. Currently, 15 suspects are being questioned for their involvement in fatal accidents during this year’s first quarter,” said Bu Farousha.
Jumping a red signal
He added that 14 fatal accident cases were dismissed during 2013’s first quarter compared with 15 this year.
According to the TPP’s statistics, 19 people who caused fatal accidents had their licences suspended during 2013’s first quarter compared with seven in 2014.
“Meanwhile seven defendants were jailed in 2013 and two were jailed during this year. On the other hand 18 defendants were fined in 2013 compared with five in 2014. The total value of blood money, according to rulings handed out by the traffic court, in 2013’s first quarter reached the tune of Dh3.72 million compared with Dh1.3 million in 2014,” said Bu Farousha.
The TPP investigated 2,026 cases between January 1 and March 31 in 2013 compared with 1,712 cases this year.
Talking about the causes of fatal accidents, Bu Farousha said: “Eleven cases happened due to sudden swerving while ten cases happened due to failing to watch out for pedestrians’ safety. Seven cases happened because the drivers failed to keep a safe distance and two happened due to speeding. One case happened due to reckless driving while two happened when the drivers jumped a red signal.”
