Dubai: Prosecutors are speaking out after a rash of horrific motor-vehicle accidents claimed the lives of innocent family members due to preventable careless driving.
Motorists have been advised to constantly be attentive and law-abiding while driving on roads to avoid disastrous accidents.
“An accident happens in a split second … and the results might be catastrophic. A very simple mistake might result in an irrecoverable family tragedy. Motorists should constantly be observant and cautious and law-abiding, not only when families are on board, but at all times,” warned Senior Chief Prosecutor Salah Bu Farousha, Head of Dubai Traffic Public Prosecution [TPP], on Tuesday.
The warning came in light of a tragic accident that hit an Emirati family when a 20-year-old son accidentally fell asleep behind the wheel while driving and slammed into a truck in front of him on Emirates Road on Monday evening.
“The 20-year-old son has admitted that he was taken by surprise when he snoozed a bit and lost control over his steering, then ran into the back of the truck. His 62-year-old father died shortly after the accident at 8.49pm,” said Bu Farousha.
Speaking to Gulf News, Bu Farousha said: “In the past three to four years, [the number of] such accidents that ended in family tragedies have slightly increased. There have been around four to five accidents and maybe a few more. Such accidents have happened because of trivial and silly mistakes. For instance, a brother caused his sister’s death simply because he decided to take the mobile phone while driving in 2012.”
Law procedures are enforced on every individual who is involved in a car accident, said TPP’s Head.
Monday’s accident happened when the son lost control over his vehicle as he fell asleep due to lack of sleep.
Upon the directives of Dubai Attorney-General Essam Eisa Al Humaidan, according to Bu Farousha, and due to the son’s mental and emotional state following his father’s demise, the 20-year-old was granted bail pending further investigations.
“In such sensitive and special conditions, we do take into consideration the status of the driver and his family. However, law enforcement procedures have to be implemented. That’s why we constantly caution drivers to drive attentively and always respect the traffic rules and regulations,” TPP’s Head told the newspaper.
Relaying further examples of family accidents, Bu Farousha said a father caused the death of his seven-year-old son when he was involved in an accident while talking on his mobile phone.
A three-member Asian family was burnt to death (including a baby girl who sat in her father’s lap) when the latter took a wrong U-turn in Dubai.
“The best and only means to preserve lives and avoid tragic accidents and/or family catastrophes is to be a law-abiding driver,” concluded Bu Farousha.
