By Faisal Masudi, Staff Reporter www.gulfnews.com
Dubai: More than 7,000 private cars will not be used on Car Free Day on February 4 to raise environmental awareness, encourage public transport use and reduce pollution and traffic, Dubai Municipality announced on Wednesday.
Employees from 200 government departments, educational establishments, and private companies have already pledged not to use their cars on the day. There will be even fewer cars on the road with some private residents joining the campaign.
The annual event this year also coincides with National Environment Day, heightening the emphasis on protection of the environment.
Vehicles are the main source of air pollutants, accounting for 15 to 20 per cent of carbon dioxide emissions worldwide, the municipality noted.
More than 2,000,000 vehicles use Dubai roads every day, exceeding the road capacity network, it added.
“As far as global statistics are concerned, there are around 10,000 to 24,000 deaths per year due to traffic congestion, which almost doubles the effect of air pollutants on public health,” the municipality said. More info
