DUBAI: The number of people who died in motor traffic accidents across the country has dropped from 706 last year to 525 this year – as of Dec.23, 2017 – which is a drop of 25 per cent, revealed the Ministry of Interior (MoI) through the Federal Traffic Committee chaired by Maj. Gen. Mohammed Saif Al Zafeen. 

Similarly, the number of casualties due to overspeeding has also dropped from 312 last year to 230 this year, a representation of 26 per cent.

The statistics were released yesterday in the presence of the representatives of traffic police from all the emirates at the Dubai Police Officers Club.

On the same day, the MoI through the FTC announced a countrywide campaign against overspeeding. It will run for three months from Jan.1, 2018 under the slogan, “Don’t Let Speeding Turn You Into a Killer.”

Eng. Al Zafeen attributed the reduction to “careful study of the cases and causes that we undertook and developed precise solutions in coordination with our strategic partners.”

He also said the Federal Traffic has been issuing and executing recommendations to realign traffic arrangements.

Also reduced are the fines issued out of technological arrangements such as cameras and radars from 8,606 last year to 7,727 in 2017.

Although the number of fines issued due to overspeeding reduced from 8 million to 7 million, the figure of those who exceeded the speed limit by 20 kmph increased from 274,670 to 907,840.

The majority offenders were, for the second year, in the bracket of 30kmph in excess. Last year they were 5,284,721 while in 2017 they reduced to 4,360,047.

In attendance was the Coordinator of Traffic Campaigns at the MoI, Brig. Ali Saeed Al Shehhi, as the MoI is linked with unified traffic campaigns across all the emirates.

“Previously, we were carrying out different campaigns at different times, until when the Minister of Interior, Sheikh Saif Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, suggested that we unify the campaigns,” reasserted General Al Zafeen on the course that started last July.