Accidents and traffic jams mark first day of Ramadan

Police intensify patrolling during final hours of fasting to reduce crashes

A Dubai Police officer fires a cannon to announce the time to break the fast during the holy month of Ramadan at Eid Musalla, Bur Dubai, on Thursday. — Photo by Shihab

Dubai - Intensified police patrols were in place to reduce Iftar-time accidents as multiple crashes and traffic jams reported from several parts of Dubai on Thursday, the first day of the holy month of Ramadan.

With an aim to reduce accidents by 15 per cent this year, police patrols will be interfiled at all areas during the final hours of fasting — close to Iftar time.

Colonel Saif Muhair Al Mazroui, Director of the General Department of Traffic of the Dubai Police, said: “The department’s objective is not to register traffic law violations and impose fines but to ensure the safety.”

Colonel Al Mazroui said the department has chalked out a detailed plan this year to reduce fatal accidents and protect property on roads with the assistance of the public. After studying the nature of accidents and reviewing all statistics from the past five years, the department has taken all measures to prevent accidents, which mostly occur when motorists rush home for the Iftar.  Officers who are on traffic duty will also have their Iftar on roads due to the nature of their work, he said.

Al Mazroui added that the police face a challenging task because of the rising number of vehicles in the emirate.

The traffic officers were to intensify their presence and deploy more police at intersections and dangerous roads and take strict action against law violators, Al Mazroui said.

The police will also distribute Iftar meals to road users in eight places in Deira and another eight areas in Bur Dubai, in collaboration with various charity institutions.

Police will also distribute light meal before Iftar at various places which include Emirates road, Shaikh Zayed road; Satwa; Diera; gas stations; Jumierah. 

The police will focus on Al Qouz industrial areas where workers go for shopping before the Iftar and have to face speeding motorist on the roads. Besides  police will be stationed near mosques and shopping malls.

As many as182 road accidents occurred, 13 people lost their lives and 89 others suffered injuries in the holy month last year.-amira@khaleejtimes.com

• UAE