Why UAE authorities want a blanket ban on minibuses

Abu Dhabi - An expert said that sometimes minibuses - which are designed to carry 14 people - are packed with up to 17.

Minibuses are not safe enough to carry 14 passengers because they are light and lack safety features unlike regular buses, road safety experts have warned. This came after a van crashed into a stationary truck, killing eight passengers on Monday.
Earlier this year, the Federal Traffic Council (FTC) had recommended to the Ministry of Interior (MoI) that all passenger minibuses be banned on UAE roads by January 2023. It followed reports showing that they were involved in 15 per cent of all road fatalities in the country.
Major-General Mohammed Saif Al Zafeen, Chairman of the FTC, said the council also recommended that minibuses used to transport students be banned by September 2021. He said such vehicles have long been a concern for authorities over the last few years, considering the growing number of accidents in which they are involved.
Around 50,000 minibuses are currently used to transport thousands of passengers daily in the country. "Minibuses are not equipped with the basic safety features that most cars have," said Maj-Gen Al Zafeen. "These vans usually carry some 14 passengers who are seated too close to each other. And if they get involved in accidents, chances are there will be more victims."
He noted that in an attempt to address the problem, authorities installed a device in them to restrict its maximum speed to 100kmph.
Thomas Edelmann, managing director, Road Safety UAE, said when loaded with many passengers, vans can easily swerve when they driven at high speeds. "The capacity of 14 passengers is too big for minibuses. These vehicles are not stable enough on the roads and therefore not good for passengers' safety," said Elderman.
"And unlike regular buses, minibuses don't have emergency exits to facilitate escape in case of an accident. Buses are also equipped with safety technologies that can alert a driver if there is an object in the front, but minibuses don't have them."
He noted that vans shouldn't be used to transport passengers as its structure is not strong enough to hold 14 passengers. According to Edelmann, their research shows that many van drivers don't abide by road safety rules. "As is the case for regular buses, stricter rules are needed for minibuses to ensure that they are driven safely," he said.
The road safety expert said that sometimes minibuses - which are designed to carry 14 people - are packed with up to 17.
New specifications
In August 2018, the Abu Dhabi Police had issued new specifications for all 15-seater minibuses. They had to be fitted with anti-lock braking system (ABS), seat belts and head restraints for all passengers.
Minibuses and small cargo vans without the new specifications are not permitted to carry passengers on the emirate's roads.
Between January and July 2018, minibuses were involved in 24 accidents that claimed 13 lives.
According to data released by the Dubai Police in 2013, 15 to 20 people die every year in accidents involving minibuses.
ismail@khaleejtimes.com 

Deadly crashes involving minibuses
September 17, 2018: 2 killed, 5 hurt as tyre of minibus burst in Dubai.
June 25, 2017: 13 workers injured after a minibus rammed into a tree in Dubai.
December 26, 2016: 28 hurt in separate accidents involving vans in Dubai.
July 26, 2016: 7 killed, 13 injured after a minibus crashed into a truck parked on Emirates Road.
May 11, 2014: 13 killed after minibus crashed into a truck on Emirates Road.
April 22, 2014: 2 hurt when a van crashed into a car on Sheikh Zayed Road.
June 14, 2011: Several students and labourers injured when a school bus crashed into a minibus on Sheikh Zayed Road.
January 25, 2011: 5 killed and three injured when their minibus crashed into a truck in Dubai.

• UAE