Careless driving causes 19 deaths on Dubai roads

As many as 63 people were killed and 1,039 sustained injuries in traffic accidents in Dubai during the first seven months of the year, Colonel Saif Muhair Al Mazroui, Director of the General Department of Traffic of the Dubai Police, said.

Carelessness of road users topped the list of reasons for the accidents, which caused 19 deaths and 157 injuries, followed by sudden U-turns which caused 13 deaths and 219 injuries. He said that jumping traffic signals caused five deaths and 234 injuries during the period.

Col. Al Mazroui said that the increase in jumping traffic signals and speeding cases made the Dubai Traffic Department to install cameras on all intersections. He said that vehicles entering roads without making sure that it is free have caused four deaths and 101 injuries. Driving under the influence of alcohol has caused four deaths and 62 injuries and four people were killed due to speeding.

Some other accidents were caused by not leaving enough distance between vehicles, not complying with lane discipline and pedestrians crossing roads in non-designated areas. He said that private cars caused majority of the accidents and were involved in 589 which led to 34 deaths and 950 injuries.

—news@khaleejtimes.com