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Abu Dhabi records fewer deaths of Asians on roads

Abu Dhabi - There is a steady decrease in the number of fatalities on Abu Dhabi roads

The number of Asians who died in road accidents in Abu Dhabi dropped by 11 per cent over the past three years, according to police statistics.
The latest figures - released by the Abu Dhabi Police at the recently concluded traffic safety conference - showed that 213 people of Asian nationalities were killed and seriously injured in road crashes during 2016, while 273 fatalities were recorded in 2015 and 239 deaths and serious injuries registered in 2014.
The number of Asians who sustained minor and moderate injuries also dropped by 12 per cent over the past three years, falling to 1,191 injuries in 2016 and 1,377 in 2015 as compared to 1,349 in 2014.
The figures also showed that 108 youths aged between 18 and 30 died in road accidents in Abu Dhabi and 1,108 others were injured - 56 of them seriously - during 2016.
According to police, 83 youths died and 1,184 were injured in road accidents during 2015 while 114 were killed and 1,383 injured in road crashes in 2014.
Traffic authorities said accidents were caused mainly by speeding, negligence, sudden change of lanes, recklessness, poor overtaking and not leaving enough distance between vehicles.
According to Abu Dhabi Police, the force was witnessing a steady decrease in the number of fatalities on Abu Dhabi roads despite an increase in the number of cars and new drivers.
The officer attributed the decline in road fatalities to the measures taken by the traffic police, including increasing safety awareness among drivers and other road users and strict enforcement of laws.
Authorities said the Traffic and Patrols Directorate has carried out a number of safety awareness initiatives, exhibitions and traffic awareness lectures which have benefited 204,700 people of different nationalities and communities.
Among road safety initiatives included the one for young drivers aged 18 to 30, where 27 lectures were conducted.
Another initiative titled 'Together for Peace', which targeted the Asian community, had benefited 1,497 people.
Officials said 29 lectures were conducted under 'Good Cards for Traffic Safety' initiative, launched in 2017, which benefited 981 people by the end of July.
ismail@khaleejtimes.com

• Abu Dhabi