Motorists are being encouraged to slow down to save lives, as the Abu Dhabi Police Traffic and Patrols Directorate revealed a total of 24 people died and 33 others were seriously injured in traffic accidents in Abu Dhabi during the first half of the year.
One hundred and fifty seven accidents took place on external roads throughout the Emirate, most notably the Abu Dhabi to Dubai, Abu Dhabi to Al Ain and Abu Dhabi to Sila roads.
Colonel Khamis Ishaq Mohammed, deputy director of the Abu Dhabi Police Traffic and Patrols Directorate, stated that the majority of traffic accidents took place during peak hours, when commuting motorists were travelling to and from their home to their workplace.
“Traffic accidents occur mainly due to high speed, reckless driving, exceeding legal speed limits, illegal overtaking, running red lights and other dangerous violations,” added Colonel Mohammed.
The dire traffic statistics follow Abu Dhabi Government’s residency decree deadline earlier this week, which requires government employees to reside in the Emirate in order to receive their housing allowance. The influx of new residents to the capital is expected to decrease congestion on external roads and lower commute times.
In order to avoid traffic accidents, Colonel Mohammed urged commuting motorists to find closer accommodations to avoid driving for long hours and to allot enough time to get to work safely.
