Seven deadly road safety problems plaguing the UAE and steps needed in 2014 to end carnage

Excessive speeding, not wearing seat belts, reckless driving, red light runners at pedestrian crossings and parents not fastening infants into baby seats were among the serious road safety problems in 2013, experts said.

Several cars after a pile-up on the Dubai-bound lanes of Sheikh Zayed Road near Ghantoot. Road experts say that while awareness campaigns are having effects, there is plenty of room for improvement. Pawan Singh / The National
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ABU DHABI // Excessive speeding, not wearing seat belts, lack of child restraints and running red lights were among the serious road safety problems in the UAE last year, experts said.

“Abu Dhabi has seen a decrease in fatal crashes, which in itself is a significant stride,” said Glenn Havinoviski, an associate vice president of transport systems at Iteris, a US traffic-management company.

“The increased traffic volumes around Dubai will naturally result in more accidents and the question is whether the accident rate can be reduced.”

Musallem Al Junaibi, head of engineering and roads with the Abu Dhabi Police traffic department, said the capital’s police force hoped to achieve its target of no fatalities by 2030.

"We have achieved a decrease in pedestrian deaths to 2.2 for every 100,000 people," Mr Al Junaibi told a Gulf Traffic Conference 2013 in Dubai last month.

In 2012 there were 8.66 deaths on the emirate’s roads for every 100,000 people, down from 10.65 in 2011, he said.

But Mr Havinoviski said the interest in reducing crashes “is still offset by those who love to drive fast, which to a great extent is part of the regional culture”.

Dr Salaheddine Bendak, associate professor at the University of Sharjah, agreed.

“Speeding is still a widespread problem although many government agencies are gearing up to curb this practice,” Dr Bendak said.

In the first eight months of last year, 2,534 vehicles were impounded for driving in excess of 200kph in Abu Dhabi, police statistics show.

Lt Col Jamal Al Ameri, head of public relations at the traffic department, cited excessive speed, using mobile phones while driving, tailgating and inattention as common causes of accidents.

“Eighty-six per cent of accidents are caused by the human factor, and the remaining 14 per cent occurs because of vehicles and roads,” Lt Col Al Ameri said.

Ten new cameras have been fitted to traffic lights in the capital, raising the number of equipped junctions to 36.

Brig Gen Hussein Al Harthi, director of the traffic department, said the devices used the latest infrared, no-flash technology to capture offences such as running red lights, infringing on pedestrian lines, speeding and making turns or U-turns from the wrong lanes.

Abdullilah Zineddin, a road safety expert, wanted to see more emphasis on seat belts for all passengers and compulsory child restraints.

“I noticed most people wear seat belts when they’re sitting in front but I still don’t see too many people who wear seatbelts when they’re travelling in the rear of a car,” said Dr Zineddin.

“It also breaks my heart when I see children not restrained in their car seats. What were the parents thinking? Where are the laws that protect these children?”

The Government has been discussing legislation for mandatory child restraints since 2008.

The 2013 Global Status Report on Road Safety, which was based on 2010 data, said recommended three key federal laws: mandatory seat belts, child car seats and bicycle helmet standards.

Mr Al Junaibi said laws making car seats compulsory for children were being planned. The new legislation, he said, would include rear seat belts, car seats for children under the age of 12 and rear-facing car seats for babies.

Dr Bendak said the lack of proper parking and careless driving made schools and mosques a “hot spot for traffic accidents”.

This year he would like to see legislation on mandatory car parks and proper entrance and exit areas in front of schools and mosques, mandatory seat belts and child cars seats, and more sophisticated road safety campaigns using social media and television.

“Child restraint use is still very low in the UAE,” Dr Bendak said. “This contributes to the very high injury rate among children in the UAE, compared to developed and some developing countries.”

Mr Havinoviski said: “Child car seats and selt belts in cars must be made mandatory and enforced rigidly. The child death rate in accidents is way too high so education of adults, not just teenagers, is needed.”

Another area lacking is road signs.

“Signs on major highways need to provide consistent destination, route number and street name information,” Mr Havinoviski said. “Reducing confusion may reduce congestion and, of course, improves safety.”

Dr Zinnedin said he would like to see top officials become more involved in road safety, particularly with speaking directly to the public.

“An integrated and comprehensive plan to address road safety in the UAE should be provided,” he said.

The plan should include engineering, enforcement, education and emergency management strategies.

“This safety plan should be made public and everyone should be part of it,” Dr Zinnedin said,

Mr Havinoviski added: “The police and transport agencies seem to be trying very hard to educate the public but the public has to be willing to listen.

“Many people seem to think tragedies will never happen to them.”

rruiz@thenational.ae