13% drop in road deaths involving Emiratis 

(MENAFN - Khaleej Times) Statistical figures released by the General Department of Traffic Coordination at the Ministry of Interior showed a 13 per cent drop in the road fatality rate involving Emiratis over the first quarter this year as compared to the same period last year.

According to Brigadier Gheith Hassan Al Zaabi, Director-General of the department, 52 Emiratis were killed in road accidents from January 1 to March 31 this year, out of which 23 were killed on internal roads and 29 on external roads across the country.

Last year, during the same period there were 60 deaths from road accidents.

The statistics revealed that speeding is the top cause of death among UAE nationals on the roads.

There were 13 deaths due to speeding, which is 25 per cent of the overall road fatalities. Abrupt swerving caused 12 deaths (23 per cent), entering a road without making sure it is clear of vehicles resulted in four fatalities (seven per cent) and moving a car backwards recklessly caused three (five per cent) deaths.

Jumping red signal, reckless driving, not paying attention to other road users and overtaking where it is prohibited made up 23 per cent of the total Emirati deaths in road accidents, reaching 12 cases.

Other 'unidentified' reasons were behind the death of eight Emiratis in accidents, forming 15 per cent.

"The 13 per cent fall in road deaths among Emiratis showed a steep improvement in this respect," said Al Zaabi.