Overspeeding killed 22 people on Abu Dhabi roads between January and July

The number of overspeeding accidents, deaths and injuries have dropped consistently in the past three years

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, September 27, 2020.  Hazy weather at Khalifa City on a Sunday morning.
Victor Besa/The National
Section:  NA/Weather
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Overspeeding killed 22 people on Abu Dhabi roads in the first seven months of 2020, said authorities.

Abu Dhabi Police said 93 people were injured in the 78 traffic accidents that took place between January and July of this year.

Officials caught 7,620 vehicles exceeding the speed limits and issued more than 7,000 fines to motorists who did not abide by the set limits, police sources were quoted in Arabic newspaper Al Khaleej.

The number of overspeeding accidents, deaths and injuries have dropped consistently in the past three years.

Police said speeding accidents killed 30 and injured 150 in 2019.

In 2018, 37 people were killed and 181 injured year-over-year.

Officials said 43 people died and 178 sustained injuries in 2017.

Last month, Abu Dhabi Police warned reckless drivers who are caught breaking the speed limit by more than 60 kilometres per hour face being hit with a Dh7,000 fine.

Police said 25 road accidents reported last year involved drivers overspeeding by in excess of 60kph.

In a tough message delivered on social media, police reminded road users that such an offence carries a Dh2,000 fine and 12 black points on a drivers' licence.

Vehicles will be seized for 30 days and motorists will have to pay fines up to Dh50,000 to get their cars released for serious traffic offences.

Cars are offered for sale at an auction if the owner fails to pay the amount within three months.