Road Safety

We had one of the worst traffic accidents in UAE history 2 weeks ago, on one of the main highways. More than 200 vehicles were involved, 347 people reported injured and many cars caught fire. It happened in the early morning, in an area where dense fog hampered visibility. Looking at the photographs posted on various websites and in the papers, one can only imagine the trauma of the victims and their families.

The reaction from people, including the press, has been a reversion to the standard statements on driving slowly, and not keeping your hazards on. On a daily basis innocents are being killed or maimed on our roads, and the authorities other than keeping statistics, seems incapable of addressing the core issues. Some of the major factors (in my mind) that have led to this dangerous situation are:-

• huge increase in the number of vehicles on the road,


• new drivers with limited (local) driving experience


• drivers from a vast variety of countries, with differing levels of skill and driving experience


• lack of road safety awareness


• increase in road rage caused by innumerable traffic snarls

Citizens of certain countries are allowed to convert their licences to drive on the roads, in the belief that the standard of driving is very high. This may be true, but still leads to a situation that puts the same drivers and other road users at risk. How so ?
It is scary enough for seasoned drivers to venture out on certain roads. Imagine someone who has just entered the country and driving for the first or the second time. How much courtesy will be extended if they are driving slowly, or take a wrong turn, while getting familiar with the road system ? How many scrapes and accidents will be caused by frustrated drivers trying to run them off the road ? I personally have had a few friends who have just started driving, and can imagine how harrowing it will be. I was lucky that I started driving when the roads were less crowded and courtesy was common.

There is a significant danger from people new to the country and the roads, compounded by continuous diversions caused by the massive roadworks, in an alien environment. Road accidents are by far the largest cause of deaths in the UAE.

The recent increase and publicity around increased traffic fines and punishment is a good start, but is only the first step towards safer roads. Other steps required are

• dramatic increase in the number of traffic cops on the roads
• all new drivers irrespective of where they come around, being provided a comprehensive induction on driving in UAE
• increase in sponsorship of road safety awareness
• making seat belts compulsory in front and back
• making "engine on, mobile off" a law. There are enough statistics to show that talking on mobiles even hands free, substantially increases response times.

Let us all do our part in making our roads safer for our children.