Cases of fatal run-overs on the rise

DUBAI // Twenty-nine people were run over and killed on Dubai’s roads in the first six months of this year, up from 18 for the same period last year.

No child was among this year’s fatalities, and a recent incident in which an 18-month-old girl died after being run over by her father was not included in the latest statistics, said Brig Saif Al Mazrouei, director of the General Department of Traffic.

Police recorded 19 cases of children who were injured after being run over this year. Eleven of them were between one and eight years old, while the rest were between nine and 17.

The number of incidents involving people being run over in the first six months of this year rose to 191 from 172 for the same period last year.

From January to June last year, 21 children were run over and one died. Eleven of those children were between one and eight years old, while the rest were between nine and 17.

“We cannot stress enough that people need to be very careful when driving or pulling out of parking spots in crowded areas,” said Brig Al Mazrouei.

“We are continuously launching awareness campaigns, but we would also like to remind parents that they are the first line of defence when it comes to their children, and they must always educate them and make sure they are out of harm’s way.”