Dubai - Police urge drivers to be careful and leave with plenty of time to reach their destination.
Published: Thu 17 May 2018, 4:44 PM
Pakistani nationals caused the most number of road accident deaths and also made up the highest number of accident casualties, during Ramadan in the last three years.
This was revealed by the Dubai Police on Wednesday when launching the 'Ramadan Aman' campaign for 2018, to encourage fasting motorists to abide by traffic laws and avoid speeding, thus reducing the risk of accidents.
The force also noted that last year, most accidents in Ramadan were reported to have taken place before Iftar time. The campaign, supervised by the Federal Traffic Council, urges drivers to be careful and leave with plenty of time to reach their destination.
Ramdan Aman, an initiative by the Dubai Police's Traffic Department in conjuction with the General Department of Community Happiness, doesn't just aim to spread awareness. Police officials and volunteers will also hand out Iftar meals to drivers on the UAE's roads and at traffic intersections, to help them break their 15-hour fast without having to rush to their destination.
Indians cause most accidents during Ramadan in UAE
Major-General Mohammed Saif Al Zafeen, assistant commander-in-chief of the Dubai Police for Operations and head of the Federal Traffic Council, said some police staff will be deployed at certain points and junctions to organise the traffic and provide Iftar meals. An exhibition at Nad Al Sheba will also be held, to spread awareness. The efforts would aid to avoid the road rashness and mistakes committed by some Muslims during the holy month, he said.
Ramadan statistics 2017
The Dubai Police said their statistics showed that road accident deaths in Ramadan 2017 showed a drop, compared to 2016. It stood at 6 deaths, representing 4 per cent of the total road deaths (148) in 2017, compared to 20 deaths in 2016, comprising 10 per cent of the total deaths that year.
Most of the accidents in the last three years were caused by vehicle collisions, resulting in 21 deaths.
Brigadier Juma bin Obaid Bin Swaidan, deputy director of the Dubai Police Traffic Department said that the Rashidiya police jurisdiction handled the most deaths in the last three years, with 11 deaths, followed by Jebel Ali with six deaths.
He noted that collisions constituted 55.5 per cent of accident deaths in 2015-17, followed by hitting road barriers and fences, which caused 19.4 of deaths.
Pakistani nationals, comprising 38.9 per cent of the drivers, caused the most accident deaths - 11 in total - in the last three years. This was followed by Indians, who caused the deaths of 9 in accidents, and Emiratis, who caused 7 deaths.
In turn, Pakistanis also made the highest casualty on the road during Ramadan, 13 of them killed in the last three years.
Emirates Road topped the most dangerous roads list during Ramadan, with 8 people killed during the last three years.
Brig Bin Swaidan noted that most Ramadan accidents occurred before and after Iftar, between 2 pm and 10 pm. The number of road deaths in the morning hours fell drastically from 9 in 2016 to just 1 in 2017.
The official also blamed the use of mobile phone and other distractions while driving, for the accidents and deaths.
amira@khaleejtimes.com
Accidents and Ramadan
> 20 accident deaths were reported in Ramadan 2016
> 6 accident deaths took place in Ramadan 2017
> 11 deaths were caused by Pakistanis
> 9 deaths were caused by Indians
> 7 deaths were caused by Emiratis
>13 Pakistanis were killed in road accidents
> 8 were killed on Emirates road
> Most accidents were reported between 2-10pm
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