Woman is first pedestrian accident victim of new year

50-year-old suffers severe injuries after being knocked down by speeding car crossing road in Al Wahda as police urge motorists to take more care.

ABU DHABI // A woman suffered severe injuries when she was knocked over by a speeding car while crossing the road in Al Wahda on Tuesday night. It is believed to be the first pedestrian accident of the new year.

The 50-year-old Asian woman, was transported by ambulance to Sheikh Khalifa Medical City, according to Col Ahmed al Zouaydi of the Serious Collision Unit, part of the Abu Dhabi Police traffic department. She was being treated at the hospital for her injuries.

Col al Zouaydi said that speeding and not considering people crossing the street were the main causes of the accident. He added that the woman did not use the designated area for pedestrians to cross the street.

Reflecting 2010 figures until the end of September, 1,935 accidents with injuries occurred, 276 with deaths and 290 with severe injuries. That number is down from 2009 by 17 per cent, but authorities said people needed to be more aware.

Police are also calling for pedestrians to use the designated areas for crossing the streets, and for drivers to abide by the speed limits and slow down when they get close to a pedestrian crossing area.