Eight injured in Abu Dhabi city after motorist runs red light

ABU DHABI // Eight people were injured in a car accident in the Capital on Friday afternoon when a Dubai registered car jumped the red signal at the intersection of Muroor Road and 15th street.

Four people were seriously injured, including two children below 10 years old, while others received various injuries, according to a police officer, who was at the scene of the accident. All of them were transferred to the hospital to receive necessary treatment.

The incident involved three cars, two of which were Abu Dhabi Silver taxis.

"So far, we don't know about anybody's death, but all injured persons were sent to the hospital," he said.

According to an eye witness, two passengers in separate cars had been caught inside the vehicles in the rear seat. It took the police almost an hour to cut them lose after first removing the front and back doors of the cars.

The police and ambulances were at the scene within minutes after the incident happened and had cordoned off the area from two sides, while other officials attempted to ease the traffic congestion.

Abu Dhabi Police registered 3,892 incidents of jumping the red light in the emirate this year. These accidents resulted in 469 injuries and 12 fatalities, according to recent police figures.

Traffic experts discussed these figures during a seminar organised earlier this week by the Abu Dhabi Municipality and the Abu Dhabi Traffic and Patrols Directorate. Attendees talked about the consequences of red light offences and the tendency of motorists to enter the yellow grid during jams, further clogging traffic.

Warrant Officer Salem Al Nahdi, from Abu Dhabi Police, called on drivers to respect traffic lights in order to preserve life and help to keep traffic smooth.

anwar@thenational.ae