Dubai Initiatives To Reach 0 Road Fatality By 2020
Dubai is the only city in the region to take on a monumental challenge to protect its youth and improve road safety: Eliminate road deaths by 2020.
In 2007, road fatalities in Dubai were 21.7 per 100,000 people, according to World Health Organization (WHO) data. This toll declined steadily in the proceeding years to reach 6.5 per 100,000 population according to data compiled by the emirate’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) in 2013.
The main causes of fatal crashes in Dubai for 2013 were sudden swerving, speeding, misjudgments made by road users, inattention, failure to comply with lane rules, pedestrians being run down, drink-driving, jumping red lights and tailgating, according to the Traffic Coordination Department at the Ministry of Interior.
According to the Ministry of Interior of Dubai for 2013 data:
The third highest cause of deaths was lack of safety distance between cars - tailgating – which resulted in 573 crashes and 74 fatalities, and 1,041 injured people making it the second leading cause of injuries after sudden swerving, which accounted for 1,653 injuries.
Most victims are 18 – 23 year olds who like to speed. According to WHO data, more than 90% of crashes in Dubai involve speeding.
Dubai took on a number of initiatives that ranged from more frequent awareness activities aimed at reshaping the culture of speed into a safer one to stricter laws and enforcement. But among those activities, Dubai organized a few more focused on curbing the aforementioned causes of fatal crashes:
Controlled bus lanes:
Motorists filmed illegally using buss lanes will be fined with 600 Dirham. This initiative was first tested in Deira where it led to a 63% drop in offending drivers during a period of 3 months.
The RTA has installed seven smart-traffic cameras to monitor motorists, which can distinguish between public and private number plates. Offenders will be sent a text message notifying them of the offense and fine.
The enforcement of the bus and taxi-only lanes aims to increase the share of public transit in the movement of people, ease traffic congestion, improve efficiency of on-time bus arrivals, cut the duration of taxi trips, reduce direct and indirect operational costs of public transit and cut carbon emissions polluting the environment.
Radars to catch tailgaters:
Shaped like towers, Al Burj radars were fitted on Dubai roads over 50 radars on Dubai roads. These radars use laser technology to catch speed offenders more accurately and precisely than the microwaves and radio waves used by older radars. They keep track of offenders on both sides of the road and are capable of detecting various traffic offenses, including failure to keep a safe distance from other cars.
Besides catching tailgating and excessive speed, Al Burj radars ensure that heavy vehicles stay in designated lanes. The radar also takes high definition photos so that anyone driving without a seat belt or while using the phone can be caught.
Pedestrian safety:
The RTA and Dubai Police are also developing new pedestrian facilities such as footbridges near notorious crash blackspots, raised pedestrian crossings and speed bumps.
