One dead, two injured in Dubai crash caused by tailgating on Emirates Road

Dubai Police have warned against the dangers of not maintaining the legal safe distance between vehicles, emphasizing that this violation can lead to serious or even fatal accidents. They pointed out that statistics revealed that collisions caused by insufficient safe distances are among the most common types of accidents.

This warning followed a tragic incident last Monday evening, where one person died and two others were injured in a collision involving three vehicles on Emirates Road, just after the Dubai Club Bridge heading towards Sharjah. The crash was attributed to a failure to maintain a safe distance, a critical factor in serious highway traffic accidents.

Brigadier Jumaa Salem Bin Suwaidan, Director of the General Traffic Department at Dubai Police, mentioned that the Command and Control Center received a tip-off about the accident at 1:30 PM. “Initial investigations revealed that the collision occurred when one driver failed to maintain a safe distance behind the vehicle in front, resulting in the crash. This tragic incident led to one person's death and injuries to two others, who sustained varying degrees of injuries—from moderate to minor—and were transported to the hospital for necessary medical treatment,” he added.

Bin Suwaidan noted that traffic accident experts promptly arrived at the scene to conduct inspections and gather technical evidence to identify the precise causes of the accident. He stated that traffic patrols secured the area and managed vehicle flow to ensure the swift arrival of ambulances and specialized teams. “They also worked efficiently to remove the damaged vehicles, restoring smooth traffic flow and preventing congestion,” he added.

The Director of the General Department of Traffic urged drivers to exercise caution and attentiveness while on the road, stressing that following traffic regulations protects individual drivers and enhances the safety of all road users, contributing to a more secure and sustainable traffic environment in the emirate.

Furthermore, Bin Suwaidan emphasized that maintaining a safe distance is a vital aspect of defensive driving, essential for preserving lives and property while minimizing the impact of accidents. He noted that Dubai Police conduct ongoing awareness programs for various community segments through field and online campaigns. “These initiatives address critical traffic violations that affect safety, such as speeding, distractions while driving, and insufficient safe distances,” he added.

Bin Suwaidan confirmed that, under federal traffic laws, offenders will face a fine of Dhs 400 and receive four black points for not maintaining a safe distance.