Young drivers responsible for 132 road deaths in Abu Dhabi

Take our poll: Nearly half the traffic accidents in Abu Dhabi last year were caused by drivers between the ages of 18 and 30, a senior Abu Dhabi Police officer.

Flowers laid by the scene of a fatal accident in Abu Dhabi, new statistics show the numbers of deaths caused by young drivers. Lee Hoagland/The National
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Nearly half the traffic accidents in Abu Dhabi emirate last year were caused by drivers between the ages of 18 and 30, reaffirming the need to make young motorists aware of safety on the roads, a senior Abu Dhabi Police officer said.

The accidents, which include running over pedestrians, collisions and overturned vehicles, have left 132 people dead and 168 with serious injuries.

“The top causes for these unfortunate traffic accidents are speeding, negligence, driving through red lights and tailgating,” said Brig Gen Hussein Al Harethi, head of the traffic and patrols directorate in Abu Dhabi.

He was speaking on the occasion of Arab Traffic Week, which is being held under the motto of “My Safety, My Responsibility”.

Raising the traffic awareness of young drivers must be carried through “effective initiatives” that take modern communication trends into account, such as social media, Brig Gen Al Harethi said.

The Abu Dhabi traffic department is intensifying its awareness efforts via Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, as it rolls out an emirate-wide traffic programme called “Together”, aimed at reducing the number of crashes.

Other initiatives rewarding the best young driver or the best family on the road have also been launched by the Abu Dhabi traffic police for the same purpose, Brig Gen Al Harethi said.