Staff report www.gulftoday.ae
DUBAI: Run-over accidents in Dubai have gone down during school hours from 20 in 2009 to 17 in 2010 and to even fewer this year with no fatalities being recorded, said a senior traffic official from the emirate’s transport authority.
“Only four run-over accidents were recorded in the first half of this year in which four children sustained minor to moderate injuries,” said the CEO of Roads and Transport Authority’s (RTA) Traffic and Roads Agency, Eng. Maitha Bin Udai.
She noted that the number of deaths resulting from traffic accidents that occurred during school hours and involved students between the ages of 3 to 18-years-old has also dropped, as two deaths were reported in 2008, one in 2009, but none in 2010 as well as in the first half of 2011.
She said if the drivers “play their part with utmost caution, they can help a long way in averting traffic accidents.”
Parents were also asked to participate actively in promotion of traffic discipline.
“Both the drivers and parents have to be more attentive while driving, especially within school zones because the main causes of traffic accidents in these areas were miscalculation on the part of road users as well as negligence, inattentiveness and reckless and irresponsible driving.”
She said the RTA is carrying out continuous awareness campaigns among selected groups of people including school bus drivers, parents and students.
“We have an integrated awareness programme, oriented to schools and universities and tailored to students’ academic levels to be implemented throughout the school year, in addition to awareness campaigns undertaken by the agency’s Traffic Department, in collaboration with our partners in the Ministry of Interior (MoI) and the Dubai Police.”
