Dubai: Forty-six people died in traffic accidents caused by sudden swerving in 2014, Dubai Traffic Police officials revealed at the launch of an awareness campaign about the dangers of sudden swerving on Sunday.
This is an increase from the 41 deaths caused by sudden swerving in 2013.
Colonel Jamal Al Banna, Acting Director of Dubai Traffic Police, said that bus drivers and young Emirati motorists are the two groups that tend to swerve suddenly or frequently change lanes and caused many casualties last year.
“Suddenly changing lanes is a serious offence, and it caused many deaths last year, more than in 2013, despite the fact that there were less instances of sudden swerving in 2014 than 2013.”
In 2014, there were 520 accidents caused by sudden swerving that killed 46 people, and 740 accidents killing 41 in 2013.
The campaign, which will run for two months, aims to educate motorists, especially bus drivers and young Emirati drivers.
“We will give lectures to bus drivers in their companies and lecture young drivers in universities.”
Fatigue, inattention, not leaving a safe distance between vehicles, exceeding the speed limit, and using a mobile phone while driving are some actions that can lead to sudden swerving.
The fine for sudden swerving is Dh200 and four black points. The Federal Traffic Council had put forward a recommendation to raise this fine due to its serious repercussions.
