Ninety per cent of Abu Dhabi lorry accidents blamed on phone use

Police figures show that 85 people were killed in such accidents last year

Drivers of smaller vehicles that collide with lorries are killed in most cases while lorry drivers often survive. Courtesy: Abu Dhabi Police

Eighty-five people died in accidents involving lorries in 2018 – and 90 per cent of them were caused by people using their mobile phones while driving, Abu Dhabi Police said.

Capt Ahmad Al Muhairi, head of traffic safety, said lorry drivers often survive while those in the smaller vehicles they collide with are killed.

"Truck drivers need to exercise a high degree of caution while driving [so as to] protect their lives and the lives of other road users, and follow road traffic rules."

About five to 10 such accidents occur every month.

Police organised safe-driving campaigns  and also offered drivers free health check-ups.

"We have conducted more than 200 meetings so far this year with heavy truck drivers, and educated over 70,000 people about road safety norms," he told Gulf News.

Unlike regular motorists, lorry drivers are required to see police before paying their fines, a move aimed at tackling bad driving practices.

The penalty for lorry drivers for using their phones while driving is Dh800 and six black points.