Dangerous driving kills eight

DUBAI // Eight of last month's 10 traffic deaths in Dubai were caused by driver error, according to new statistics made public by the Dubai Traffic Prosecution.

Speeding, sudden swerves, running red lights, following too closely and hitting pedestrians all caused death in January, said Dubai's chief traffic prosecutor Salah Bu Faroosha.

The 10 deaths were one fewer than in January of 2010.

Eight of the 10 who died were found to have been at fault, Mr Bu Faroosha said; the other two were innocent victims.

Three of the dead were Emiratis, two men and one woman. The other victims were from Gulf, Arab, and Asian countries.

Investigations revealed that the three Emiratis all died after making driving errors, Mr Bu Faroosha said.

"Prosecutors investigate traffic accidents on the scene in co-ordination with police. When an accident involves grievous bodily harm or death, [surviving] drivers are automatically detained until the investigation is concluded," he said.

Prosecutors, aided by technical reports from the Dubai Police traffic department, have 48 hours to complete their investigations. If a driver is found not to have been at fault, a release is immediately ordered and the case is dropped.

Dubai traffic prosecution recorded a 95 per cent conviction rate last year, with six cases out of 120 dismissed by the Dubai Traffic Court.

"We would like all drivers to adhere to traffic regulations to avoid prosecution to the full extent of the law," said Mr. Bu Faroosha.

amustafa@thenational.ae

Also see:

Gulf region's safety record 'appalling'