Car accidents in the United Arab Emirates

Road traffic accidents are considered as the second leading cause of death in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The incidence rate of traffic accidents is increasing particularly among the youth generation. Statistics showed that the UAE recorded 1,056 deaths in 2007 due to traffic accidents. It has been recently stated that at least one person is killed in a traffic related accidents every 48 hours, while there is one injury every four hours (Gulf news, UAE). The main causes of road traffic accidents (RTAs) are violating red light, speeding, and lack of consideration of other road users. In the light of the enormous efforts of the UAE police departments to decrease traffic injuries and fatalities, the decision makers implemented a new traffic system (the traffic black points). This traffic system aims at raising the value of fines on road violators in order motivate proper behaviors among drivers and consequently decrease car accidents. The self-imposing questions however are numerous: Will this new law decrease the incidence of road traffic accidents in the upcoming years? How effective will the system be? To what extent do the fatal injuries; or those that result in permanent disabilities; decrease after applying the system of traffic black points? According to these focused questions, the traffic black points system will be evaluated. The UAE has a multi-ethnic population with different driving attitudes and behaviors; therefore, the youth has first to accept the reality of their careless driving behavior in order to change their habits. In conclusion, RTAs are recognized as a growing public health concern in the UAE; and hence it is important to emphasize the role and responsibility of each person within the community in reducing RTAs.