Dubai: Eight people died and 12 others were injured in traffic incidents since the beginning of Ramadan on June 6, Dubai Police said on Sunday.
Colonel Saif Muhair Al Mazroui, Director of Dubai Traffic Police, said there were 26 traffic incidents between June 6 and 16, in which 40 vehicles were involved.
Of the 12 injured, one was seriously injured, while six people sustained moderate injuries, and five sustained minor injuries.
“Of the 26 accidents, 17 were cases of vehicles crashing into each other or into objects, five were run-over accidents, and four involved a vehicle overturning,” he said.
During last Ramadan, Dubai Police recorded 201 serious accidents that resulted in 10 deaths and 147 injuries. Out of the 147 injuries, 19 were severe, 35 moderate and 93 minor.
Col Al Mazroui urged the public to abide by traffic rules and regulations to avoid accidents.
He warned against speeding, using or parking in the hard shoulder, dangerously overtaking and any other dangerous behaviour.
The traffic department has intensified patrolling.
Col Al Mazroui added that traffic congestion during the morning and evening are to be expected.
On the first day of Ramadan, Dubai Police recorded 250 accidents, of which only two were serious. The police operations room had also received 2,419 calls between 7.30am and 2.30pm that day.
People can report violators through the Dubai Police app ‘We are all police’ or by calling 8004353.
The Roads and Transport Authority had earlier said that exhaustion and drowsiness are the two leading causes of accidents during Ramadan.
“As concentration rate drops while fasting due to changes in the body, motorists should be extra careful,” said Maitha Mohammad Bin Adai, CEO of RTA’s Traffic and Roads Agency.
She also said most traffic accidents during Ramadan are attributed to not maintaining a safe distance between vehicles.
