Speed to blame for most accidents on Dubai roads - RTA

SPEED MANAGEMENT: The RTA said it was drafting a speed management plan to ensure safe driving without compromising traffic flow. (Getty Images)

Speeding is the biggest cause of accidents in Dubai, the Roads and Transport Authority said on Sunday.

During the Haseb Safety Campaign – recently launched to highlight the importance of complying with road safety rules – the RTA insisted reckless and fast driving could lead to injuries and life-threatening accidents.

The campaign, which will be promoted through various forms of media, aims to reduce injuries on main roads across the UAE by 40 percent within the next six years.  

“Over speeding is responsible for about 80% of traffic accidents and claims hundreds of lives every year,” said RTA’s director of traffic Engineer Hussain Al Banna. “Statistics reveal that the number of casualties is continuously on the rise as over speeding in 2008 resulted in 375 casualties ranging from death to body injury and various losses.

“Excessive speed is associated with serious traffic offences such as the lack of leaving sufficient distance between vehicles, lane changing, and jumping the red signal as the driver fails to stop the vehicle on the right time when the light signal changes.

“Speeding is also the major cause of traffic accident fatalities as the probability of involvement in fatal traffic accidents is doubled with the increase of the driving speed by each 5 km/h above the prescribed speed limit.”

Motorists exceeding 60km/h will be fined 1000 dirhams, given 12 traffic points and have their vehicles impounded for 30 days. Race-driving offences, meanwhile, receive a 2000 dirhams fine on top of the punishments dished out for travelling above 60km/h.

The RTA said it was drafting a speed management plan to ensure safe driving without compromising traffic flow. Speed limits for roads and traffic hotspots will be introduced, while the RTA plans to raise awareness about the dangers of fast driving among motorists.

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READERS' COMMENTS

Greed is the cause of accidents, not speed
Posted by Rimmy, Dubai, UAE on Wednesday 22 April 2009 at 15:47 UAE time


I have lived in Dubai for 6 years now. Speed is not the cause of all the accidents in Dubai as 5 years ago, everyone was going faster and there were fewer accidents. Problem is greed as too many people who hardly know their right hand from left have been given drivers licenses. It seems that in the past 3 years, every "Tom, Dick and Harry" out there has gone, paid 5k, gotten a license and now they think they can drive 80KM/hr on SZR WHILE talking on their mobile. The driver’s schools were so eager to earn as much money as possible that they pretty much passed anyone who could manage to sit behind the wheel of a car. (Who here has not hated and dreaded being stuck behind the Driving School's cars)?

If the RTA checks, I can assure you that probably 80% of these accidents (if not more) were caused by people who have had their license for 2 or less years. Perhaps, making laws stronger towards newly licensed people, should be the case, not necessary the speed with which people drive.

And for God’s sake, if you are going to go 60-80KM/hr, stick to the first lanes on the right. Maybe then no one will tailgate you or flash their lights at you.

Its not just speed
Posted by Rainigade, Dubai, UAE on Wednesday 22 April 2009 at 10:54 UAE time


Sorry to say, but its not just the speed that the issue here. With the new cameras in place, the average speed has definitely gone down - even with the sudden braking just before the cameras.

And by the way, Delboy, I've driven behind people in the fast lane, doing 90km/hr, who STILL slam their brakes on at the cameras!

Steve is right - our Dubai driving style needs to change. All this tailgating, overtaking from the right, not indicating, lack of lane discipline, not staying to the right.... these things need to change.

But we all know that it will not happen until the police enforce it. I rarely ever see cop cars on SZR so what increased police presence was being referred to by the Dubai Police, I have no idea.

In fact, I was utterly SHOCKED this morning, when I was tailgated and flashed out of the left lane by a cop car. No sirens blaring, no lights flashing. Just tailgating other cars and flashing their headlights.

This kind of behaviour is unacceptable. The police should be setting an example! And fining those who engage in this kind of aggressive and dangerous behaviour on the roads. Not doing it themselves!!!!

Dangerous driving should be the focus
Posted by Steve, Dubai, UAE on Wednesday 22 April 2009 at 06:01 UAE time


The main issue as I see it, coming from the UK, is that there is too much emphasis on automated speed cameras leading to fines and not enough on dangerous driving, use of mobiles, drink-driving, tailgating etc.

These offences are what actually cause accidents rather than speed as and of itself, but need more dedicated traffic police to patrol the roads and enforce the law rigidly.

The level of fines seem to be just another cost of using the roads for some users in their 3-ton SUVs, the penalty points system needs to be much tougher. In the UK 4 speeding offences in a 3 year period result in an automatic six-month licence suspension, racing or drink-driving will be a 12-month minimum ban for a first offence, with prison time for repeat offenders. Indroducing such punishments in the UAE and stepping up police enforcement may be the best way to change mentalities and attitudes.

Steve

Speed Limits
Posted by Delboy, London, UK on Tuesday 21 April 2009 at 14:31 UAE time


Perhaps if the RTA stop setting the speed camera's 20-30 Kms above the speed limit it may help. Also think about adopting average speed camera's on the Dubai - Abu Dhabi highway as used in most European safety concious countries. This will stop the idiots who speed between the camera's and brake heavily when approaching one.

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