Abu Dhabi: The rate of deaths and injuries in road accidents across the UAE declined in the first quarter of 2015, compared with the same period last year, the Ministry of Interior announced in a statement sent today (April 25).
According to the general directorate of traffic coordination at the ministry, deaths from traffic accidents fell by 21 per cent, while the number of injuries dropped by 14.8 per cent. In addition, the number of accidents was also 8.1 per cent lower than the first quarter of 2014.
A total of 147 deaths were recorded during the first three months of 2015, compared with 186 during the same period in 2014. This represents a 21 per cent decline.
Over the same period, 1,684 injuries occurred due to road accidents, compared with 1,976 in 2014. This was a decline of 292 cases year-on-year or 14.8 per cent.
In terms of traffic accidents, the recorded number in 2015 was 1,232 during the first quarter, compared with 1,340 last year. There were 108 fewer accidents during the same period in 2014, or a decline of 8.1 per cent.
The ministry statement also listed the main causes of traffic accidents in the first quarter of this year. For example, sudden swerving resulted in 245 accidents (19.8 per cent of the total), while a lack of consideration for other road users led to 156 incidents (12.66 per cent of the total). Failure to leave sufficient space between vehicles resulted in 151 accidents (12.26 per cent of the total). Negligence and inattention by motorists resulted in 125 accidents (10.15 per cent of the total), while motorists who did not adhere to their lanes caused 98 accidents (7.95 per cent of the total).
Speeding was the cause of 83 accidents (6.74 per cent of the total), while motorists who did not check the entry was clear before turning into main roads were involved in 81 accidents (6.57 per cent of the total). Running the red light resulted in 53 incidents (4.3 per cent of the total), while not prioritising pedestrians was the cause of 40 accidents (3.25 per cent of the total). In addition, a further 200 accidents occurred due to other causes.
Brigadier Gaith Al Zaabi, head of the general directorate of traffic coordination, said that the decline in road traffic accidents was a result of the efforts of various traffic departments and their stakeholders.
He stressed that traffic safety is a shared responsibility, and must be handled by all members of the community in order to limit human, financial and material losses. Brig Al Zaabi also urged motorists to abide by traffic regulations for their own safety and that of other road users.
