Accident-Free Day: UAE roads are getting safer as motorists incentivised to take more care

Near-record low traffic fatalities indicate tough safety measures are having an impact

The evening is statistically the most likely time of day to be involved in a serious accident in the UAE, figures show. Photo: Silvia Razgova / The National

Deaths on UAE roads have decreased to near-record lows, as the Emirates embarks on another Accident-Free Day on Monday - the start of the new school year.

The campaign complements the Ministry of Interior's continuing drive to improve road safety across the country.

Accident-Free Day, introduced by the Federal Traffic Council, is held on August 26 to push for zero accidents on what is typically a busy day on the UAE's roads.

There is an extra focus on traffic laws on the first day of school, and motorists can benefit from a reduction of four traffic black points.

Brig Ahmed Al Naqbi, director of traffic awareness at the Federal Traffic Council, said the Accident-Free Day campaign aims to protect all road users.

“We are keen to reduce the number of accidents and fatalities in the UAE for both minor and serious accidents,” he said.

“Traffic figures show there is continuing improvement in reducing the number of deaths in traffic accidents on the roads.

“Our aim is to reach a society with zero accidents.”

Record low

There were 343 road accident deaths reported in the UAE in 2022, a record low. That number rose slightly to 352 in 2023, but the overall long-term trend has been a reduction in the number of deaths.

While the traffic mix on the roads may have changed in recent years, with more cars and a surge in smaller means of transport such as motorcycles and e-scooters, the road safety message appears to be cutting through.

The UAE has not reported more than 1,000 traffic-related deaths in a year since 2008, when a high of 1,072 fatalities was recorded

Since then, there has been a 67 per cent fall in the number of road deaths, despite more cars on the roads and a growing population.

However, there were more injuries reported due to road collisions in 2023 than the year before.

In 2022, there were 5,045 injuries but that figure rose last year to 5,568.

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Road, or E311, was the busiest in the country and also the most perilous in 2023, as 223 people were injured and 43 died on the motorway.

That was followed by Emirates Road, with 104 reported injuries and 18 deaths, while on the Abu Dhabi to Al Ain road, there were 171 injuries and 13 deaths.

Being on the road in the evening was statistically the most likely time of day to be involved in a serious accident, when 40 per cent of all injuries occurred and 43 per cent of deaths.

Meanwhile, the afternoon was the safest, when just 16 per cent of all road traffic related injuries were recorded, although there were also 47 deaths at this time.

Five trends

More than two thirds of the fatalities in 2023 were linked to five common traffic violations; distracted driving, sudden swerving, tailgating, inattention and negligence and poor lane discipline.

“The strongest indicator in road safety is the number of fatalities, and this number is hovering near the all-time low, which is wonderful news,” said Thomas Edelmann, founder and managing director of Road Safety UAE.

“However, the rise in accidents and injuries is alarming, substantiating the need for a continued focus on road safety.”

Black points can act as a significant deterrent against traffic violations.

Penalties vary in consequence, with a driver’s licence suspended if 24 black points are accrued over the course of the year.

The duration of suspension depends on severity of rule breaches, with 143 federal laws applicable across the country that can lead to fines up to Dh100,000 or the impounding of a vehicle.

Dangerous driving can result in a Dh2,000 fine, 23 black points and a 60-day vehicle confiscation period, while driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is usually punished with a similar points tally and impound, but a fine decided by the courts.

Sudden swerving attracts four black points and a Dh1,000 penalty, while drivers using a mobile phone at the wheel face four points and a Dh800 fine.

Drivers and passengers can incur a Dh400 fine and four black points for failing to wear a seatbelt in a moving vehicle.

As schools return, child safety and the wearing of seat belts have been areas of concern for police in Ajman.

The emirate recorded 947 violations in 2023 by drivers who allowed children under the age of 10 or under 146cm tall to sit in the front seat.

“From our perspective, the increase in this type of violation is due to a lack of awareness among parents and drivers about the dangers of allowing children to sit in the front seats,” said Lt Col Rashid Hamid bin Hindi, deputy head of the traffic and patrols department at Ajman Police.

“There is a disregard for the importance of seating children in designated seats in the back according to their age and height, while ensuring they are wearing seat belts.

“We are educating drivers through intensive and continuous awareness campaigns about the dangers of allowing children to sit in the front seats, and to enhance traffic awareness among vehicle drivers generally.”

Child seats

So far in 2024, there have been 534 similar offences related to child seats and seatbelts recorded by police.

One positive trend is that police have recorded no penalties for drivers failing to provide car seats for children in 2024, down from three in 2023.

Ajman Police have carried out awareness programmes through social media and traffic safety partners, conducted field visits to schools, kindergartens, and government and local entities.

Lectures and training workshops have targeted groups such as children and parents, to spread the road safety message.

Those under the age of 18 accounted for 7 per cent of all road traffic related deaths in 2023, and 9 per cent of injuries.

Technology is also playing a part in improving roads safety.

“Our smart monitoring systems work by detecting several traffic violations, including the violation of allowing children under 10 to sit in the front seats, and issuing electronic fines to the vehicle's traffic code,” said Lt. Col bin Hindi.

“Our future plans include incorporating artificial intelligence and developing monitoring systems in the field of traffic control and traffic awareness.”

Abu Dhabi, reported the highest number of road-related deaths in 2023, with 133, while Fujairah recorded the least, seven.

Dubai reported the most injuries, 2,607, and the roads in Umm Al Quwain were the safest with just 63 injuries out of 5,568 across the country.

At NMC ProVita International Medical Centre, where post-acute care and rehabilitation services are offered, about five per cent of patients are victims of road accidents.

Injuries that could have been prevented by wearing a seatbelt are often treated at the centre.

“All sorts of injuries can be caused by not wearing seat belt depending on the speed of the car,” said Dr Ahmad Al Khayer, general manager of ProVita.

“Crushed chests, broken ribs, head injuries, femur and hip injuries, abdominal visceral trauma such as spleen and liver injuries are most common.

“The person can get thrown out of the car, which in itself can cause multiple types of injuries.

“The psychological support and care is an integral part of our services.

“It helps patients and families to learn to cope with their injuries and go through recovery.”