Speeding behind most road fatalities in Sharjah

Sharjah - Sudden diversion and distraction while driving were other common factors that led to road fatalities and serious injuries.

As many as 62 people died and 83 others were seriously injured last year due to accidents caused by speeding, the Sharjah Police's traffic department has revealed. A total of 1,260,213 serious and minor traffic violations in various parts of the emirate were recorded in 2019.
Major General Saif Al Zeri Al Shamsi, commander-in-chief of Sharjah Police, said that the speeding was the main reason behind deaths in most of the traffic accidents that took place last year.
Sudden diversion and distraction while driving were other common factors that led to road fatalities and serious injuries. "Jumping red lights and use of mobile phones were also major violations during 2019," the top cop pointed out.
He added the number of deaths caused by traffic accidents has been reduced in Sharjah with 62 road fatalities being recorded last year as compared to 83 in 2018 and 105 in 2017.
He attributed this drop to an internal strategy of ensuring road safety to contain road deaths, increasing the number of traffic patrols, launching more awareness campaigns and distributing informational materials through various media outlets.
The traffic department's awareness programmes and campaigns targeted a large number of road users across Sharjah. These campaigns sensitised motorists to avoid speeding and pedestrians not to cross from non-designated areas. "The Sharjah Police will make every effort to achieve the goal of making the UAE the safest country in the world," Al Shamsi averred.
5 hot spots targeted
Lt Col Khalid Al Kai, deputy director of the traffic and patrols department, said the police initiatives aimed at reducing fatal accidents in five hotspots, including the Emirates Road, Al Dhaid Road, Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Road, Al Ittihad Road and Mleiha Road. Extra focus was put on Mleiha and Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed roads, as they registered the highest rate of accidents. The plan to install radars and surveillance cameras on these stretches has helped to a great extent in bringing down the number of accidents and fatalities.
He added that most crashes on these roads were caused as motorists exceeded the speed limit, which led to deaths and injuries. Police authorities have stepped up awareness campaigns to educate drivers on the fallout of speeding, he underlined.
afkarali@khaleejtimes.com
 
 

• Sharjah