Sharjah, December 22: There has been a significant drop in accidents caused by motorists jumping red lights on Sharjah roads, according to figures released by Sharjah Police Research Centre.
The statistics were unveiled in a recent study prepared by Dr Qassim Ahmed Amer, head of the Statistics Research Department at the centre, who attributed the drop to the introduction of the black points law recently which implemented strict penalties.
Amer said the total number of accidents that occurred in Sharjah between December 2008 and December 2009 was 823, in which 179 people died and 905 were injured.
“With every year passing we are witnessing a remarkable decrease in the number of accidents related to red signal crossing with 22 accidents in 2009 compared to 74 accidents in 2008,” said Amer.
“In 2008, the number of red signal crossing accidents claimed the life of one person while 42 people were injured. “From the year 2001 to 2008, five people died in red signal crossing accidents, eight serious injuries, 245 medium injuries and 433 minor injuries.”
Amer, in his study, urged the extension of the amber signal duration on all roads and intersections while using the digital meter on signals to makes it clear for the motorist when to move and when to stop before the meter reading reaching zero.
Dr Al Amer said traffic chaos should be a top priority in any country. According to the World Health Organisation, 1.2 million fatal cases are caused annually in pedestrian accidents occurring internationally and that within the coming 20 years the figure is expected to increase by 65 per cent.
“Pedestrian accidents ranks second among the most frequent road accidents and that the accidents targets people aged between 5 to 29 years,” Al Amer said.
“We all should work together in reducing blood shed on roads by strictly abiding to the stipulated speed limits and other set rules and regulations.”
“Many drivers are seen deliberately crossing red signals without knowing the fatal consequence of their irrational behaviour that can lead to hitting a pedestrian or strongly ramming into another car coming from another direction of the road,” Al Amer said.
–Agencies