560 people killed on the UAE’s roads this year

This content was originally posted in 7DAYS UAE website at: 560 people killed on the UAE’s roads this year Figures released by the Ministry of Interior show that 560 people were killed in accidents during the first 10 months of 2015. However, the death toll was down 4.9 per cent compared to the year before, when 589 people died. Injuries resulting from crashes also reduced, from 5,909 in 2014 to 5,606 this year. Traffic authorities said they recorded 3,935 road accidents in first 10 months of 2015, a decrease of 3 per cent compared to 4,058 crashes in 2014. Drivers suddenly changing of lanes caused the highest number of crashes, with 765 cases, followed by tailgating with 512 cases, recklessness (456 cases), inattention (410 cases) and speeding (333 cases). Other cause of crashes included drink driving, joining roads without giving way and not giving priority to pedestrians. Brigadier Ghaith Hassan Al Zaabi, Director General of Traffic Coordination at the Ministry of Interior, said: “We are witnessing a steady decrease in the number of fatalities on UAE roads despite an increase in the number of cars and new drivers on roads.” Authorities have attributed the decline in road fatalities to the measures taken by the traffic police across the country, including increasing road safety awareness among drivers and other road users and strict enforcement of laws. “Traffic authorities in the country have done a great job on educating drivers about the dangers of traffic accidents and encouraging people to abide by traffic laws,” said Al Zaabi. He urged drivers to abide by traffic laws to further reduce accidents on the country’s roads. ismail@7days.ae Read the original story at: 560 people killed on the UAE’s roads this year