Shocking statistics released by Dubai Traffic Police on Sunday showed a massive jump in road fatalities in the first six months of this year. According to a report in Gulf News, 112 people were killed in traffic accidents in 2016, a 45 per cent increase in comparison to the same period last year when 77 people died. Ironically, the total number of accidents went down — from 1,526 to 1,472 this year.
So, what explains this spike in the tragic loss of lives on Dubai roads? The answer came from a senior official who blamed drivers for being reckless and negligent. Elaborating, he said, most deaths were caused by “inconsiderate” drivers who were responsible for 163 accidents resulting in 27 deaths. Next were tailgaters who caused 287 incidents leading to 21 deaths, followed by sudden swerving which caused 292 accidents that led to 14 deaths, and finally, speeding, which resulted in 14 deaths.
The above explanation by the officer can be summed up in three words to describe drivers’ behaviours — reckless, negligent and aggressive. Just last month, seven people died and 13 others were injured in a crash on Emirates Road involving a minibus and a truck laden with stones. The accident happened when the driver of minibus transporting senior employees of a construction company crashed into the rear of the 70-tonne truck that had stopped in an undesignated area.
It is clear that motorists have complete disregard for road discipline, the safety of other drivers and their own. What can be done to improve their behaviour? Fines are simply not working. One way to punish them is by removing such drivers from the road by suspending their licences. Another step authorities must consider is to send them back to driving schools. Repeat offenders, meanwhile, deserve severe punishment — jail sentences.
