Speeding claims 52 lives in Dubai

Dubai - Dubai Police launch annual anti-speeding campaign.

Speeding accounted for 30 per cent of the traffic accidents reported in Dubai last year. A top police officer said 177 people lost their lives in traffic accidents last year.
In the first nine months of this year, 52 people have died in speeding-related accidents, said Major Mohammed Saif Al Zafin, assistant commander-in-chief of the Dubai Police for operation affairs.
To spread the message of adhering to stipulated speed limits, the Dubai Police have launched its annual awareness campaign titled 'speeding kills'.
The campaign was first launched in 2010 on instructions from the then Dubai Police chief Lt-General Dhahi Khalfan Tamim. The plan was to reduce traffic deaths by 25 per cent every year, till the aim of zero deaths per 100,000 population is achieved by 2020.
Major Al Zafin said the police expect road fatalities to drop this year, which will be a "remarkable achievement" taking into consideration the increase in population and number of road users.
Colonel Saif Muhair Al Mazroui, director of the traffic department, said the mechanism of implementing the campaign will focus on drivers' behaviour. Special police teams will visit labour camps, private companies, universities and hospitals to raise awareness about traffic safety.
Burhan Al Hashimi, executive director of retail section at Enoc - which is the sponsor of the campaign - said periodic maintenance of vehicles is very important to enhance traffic safety.
The police also have signed agreements with some clubs to spread the message of safe driving. - amira@khaleejtimes.com