Aggressive tailgating caused 42 deaths last year in Dubai

Dubai - Pakistani motorists came in the second place, having caused the deaths of 11 people, while Indian motorists caused six deaths, and Egyptians, four.

Emirati motorists caused the most number of fatal traffic accidents in the UAE last year as a result of "aggressive tailgating", the Dubai Police have revealed. They caused 17 deaths.
Pakistani motorists came in the second place, having caused the deaths of 11 people, while Indian motorists caused six deaths, and Egyptians, four.
 A study chalked out by the Dubai Police's traffic department showed that the 42 traffic deaths caused due to tailgating last year represented a 61.9 per cent increase from the 26 reported in 2014.
 "Most of those who were behind these accidents were youths, whose ages ranged between 25 to 33, and they caused the death of 16 people last year," said Colonel Saif Muhair Al Mazroui, Director of the General Department of Traffic.
 The traffic department, according to him, had analysed the causes of death with a focus on drivers not leaving a sufficient distance between vehicles - an offence that is extremely dangerous.
 Male drivers, he said, were the ones who most caused traffic deaths resulting from tailgating. Male drivers caused 39 deaths, compared to three deaths caused by female drivers.
 "Emirates Road was the most dangerous route in terms of death rate, with 17 deaths as a result of aggressive tailgating and not keeping a sufficient distance between the vehicles. This was followed by Shaikh Zayed Road, Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road and Dubai Road at a rate of four deaths each."
Traffic safety campaign launched
The traffic department has launched a campaign to curb the hazards of not keeping a sufficient distance between vehicles. The drive had been launched by the department in collaboration with Thumbay Hospitals Group and Total Company.
"The department was keen to have the presence of a medical partner to conduct free blood and sugar tests for the drivers due to the fact that the health condition has a significant effect on driving," said Al Mazroui.
 reporters@khaleejtimes.com