Abu Dhabi: There was a 7.4 per cent increase in traffic fatalities across the UAE last year (2016), compared to 2015, officials said in Abu Dhabi on Sunday.
A total of 725 traffic deaths were recorded in 2016 compared to 675 deaths in 2015, they said at a press conference organised by the Ministry of Interior as part of 33rd Gulf Traffic Week.
“The current rate of traffic accidents in the UAE is 5.6 deaths per 100,000. We aim to reach three deaths per 100,000 by 2021, and we are working relentlessly to achieve this goal,” Lt. General Saif Abdullah Al Shafar, undersecretary of the Ministry of Interior, told Gulf News on the sidelines of the press conference.
“Unfortunately, out of the 725 deaths, 55 were aged between 18 and 30 and they died due to reckless driving, use of mobile phones and speeding. It’s a pity, because they are the future of our country,” Al Shafar added.
Al Shafar urged young motorists to abide by traffic laws and refrain from negative behaviour behind the wheel.
He was speaking on the side-lines of the 33rd GCC Traffic Week in Abu Dhabi, which is organised to raise public awareness about traffic safety and reduce traffic-related accidents and injuries.
Brigadier Gaith Hassan Al Zaabi, director-general, Traffic Coordination General Directorate at the Ministry of Interior, said: “We are very keen on promoting a culture of traffic safety, and urge all road users to abide by traffic safety laws and regulations.”
The 33rd GCC Traffic Week titled ‘Your Life is A Trust’ kicked off on March 12 and will continue until March 16. During the campaign, the police will distribute flyers on road safety and enhance their social media outreach.
Brigadier Ali Al Daheri, director general of central operations at Abu Dhabi Police, said that 94 per cent of traffic accidents were caused by road users’ conduct.
“Eighteen per cent of accidents are caused due to motorists’ distraction, 15 per cent due to sudden swerving, 13 per cent due to tailgating, 10 per cent resulted by speeding, eight per cent due to overtaking other vehicles and five per cent resulted by jumping the red light,” Al Daheri explained.
“Asian nationals cause the highest rates of traffic accidents, recording 39 per cent last year,” the official added.
Brig. Al Daheri added that 45 per cent of the traffic accidents involved youth.
