Peril of 'Ramadan rush hour' as Dubai police report 1,000s of smashes
Jul 29, 2012
DUBAI // Police are warning motorists of the “Ramadan rush hour” after recording 3,605 traffic accidents in the emirate since the start of the Holy Month.
About 200 of these occurred shortly before iftar. It is not known how many resulted in casualties or how many traffic accidents occured during Ramadan in previous years.
Yesterday, one person was killed and fourteen injured when a bus carrying labourers crashed into a lorry on Al Sofouh Road at 6.50am. The wounded were taken to Rashid Hospital, where six were in a serious condition.
“The accident was due to the lack of vigilance and high speed which caused the bus to crash into the truck,” said Col Saif Al Mazroui, acting head of the Dubai Police traffic department.
Meanwhile, a man died on Thursday evening after being hit by a car on Al Garhoud bridge.
In Al Ain, a 65-year-old died on Friday when the car he was in overturned. He had been going to Jebel Hafeet with his wife, son and two friends when a tyre burst. He died at the scene. His son, the driver, and the three in the back seat, who were thrown from the car, were taken to Al Ain Hospital.
Shindo Matthews, a family friend, said the parents had travelled from Kerala to visit their son, a computer salesman in Dubai.
There is often an increase in accidents during the Holy Month, said Brig Omar Al Shamsi, the director of the command and control centre at Dubai Police.
There is often an increase in accidents during the Holy Month, said Brig Omar Al Shamsi, the director of the command and control centre at Dubai Police.
“Driving at a high speed and recklessly, especially before iftar, coupled with no lane discipline and not keeping a safe distance” all played a part, he said.
Last year 14 people died in Dubai road accidents during Ramadan, compared with only four the previous month.
“I urge drivers to avoid bad behaviour and to be cautious, especially when driving through traffic junctions,” said Brig Al Shamsi.
“Muslims should enjoy this Holy Month and avoid annoying other people. They should adhere to traffic rules and road courtesy.”
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