Dubai reported 262 traffic accidents due to sudden swerving in last 6 months

Somaiya Saad

The General Command of Dubai Police has said that 262 traffic accidents resulting from sudden vehicle swerving had occurred during the first six months of this year. These accidents resulted in 15 deaths, 25 serious injuries, and 299 moderate to minor injuries.

This corroborates the assertion that 6% of sudden swerving accidents result in fatalities, while 9.5% of the total number of traffic accidents caused by sudden swerving result in serious injuries.

Furthermore, the report indicated that sudden swerving was the third most prevalent cause of serious traffic accidents, following distracted driving and excessive speed.

In addition to utilising the mobile phone for internet browsing, social networking, making calls, taking photographs and engaging in other activities that may result in distraction and behaviour that could lead to adverse outcomes, drivers are also vulnerable to causing traffic accidents due to their lack of attention to the road.

The abrupt swerving of vehicle can cause a series of adverse outcomes, including vehicular collisions and egregious violations.

This can occur when drivers abruptly change lanes, traverse to an alternative lane, or abruptly enter an intersection ahead of vehicles that are committed to their designated lane. Such actions are often undertaken without the use of traffic signals, which can contribute to the occurrence of traffic accidents.

The police also assert that "sudden swerving" represents a significant and tangible risk factor for traffic accidents, yet drivers and road users alike often overlook it. When coupled with excessive speed, sudden swerving can precipitate a loss of control over the vehicle, resulting in potentially catastrophic outcomes.

Major General Saif Muhair Al Mazrouei, Director of the General Department of Traffic at Dubai Police, called for avoiding traffic accidents resulting from “wrong overtaking” and “sudden swerving” while driving a vehicle. This includes avoiding overtaking other vehicles incorrectly, ensuring that the road is clear when overtaking or moving to the other lane, not overtaking any other vehicle except from its left side, not moving between lanes in a reckless manner that exposes the driver to danger, using direction change signals when wanting to change lanes, avoiding sudden deviations, and ensuring that the correct lane is used when moving to another road.

Furthermore, he stated that the penalty for sudden vehicle swerving is a fine of Dhs1,000 and imposition of four black points to the driver's license.

He urged drivers to maintain vigilance, concentration, and situational awareness while operating a vehicle, emphasizing the importance of avoiding distractions such as mobile phone usage. He also underscored the necessity of adhering to traffic signals when changing lanes.