Abu Dhabi Police reveal 7 reasons for traffic accidents during winter

Abu Dhabi Police identified 7 reasons for traffic accidents in the UAE on roads or in public parks and recreational areas frequented by individuals and families during winter.

The 7 causes are: sudden swerving, which is a deliberate human behaviour as the driver fails to use the turn signal before turning the vehicle at a bend, intersection, or road junction, and does not give the necessary light signal to change lanes so that other drivers of adjacent vehicles are aware, according to Colonel Dr. Salem Ali Al Ketbi, lecturer at the Saif Bin Zayed Academy for Police and Security Sciences, and traffic expert.

The second, according to Dr Al Ketbi is not leaving a sufficient safe distance behind the vehicle in front, which is also a deliberate human mistake.

He added that some drivers harass vehicles in front, approaching them to a close distance, and forcing their drivers to clear the way for them by continuously using high beams and the horn, which distract the driver of the front vehicle, increasing the occurrence of traffic accidents.

Dr Al Ketbi noted that the third reason for accidents is not considering other road users like pedestrians, as a driver does not legally have the right to deprive them of their right and safety to use the road.

The fourth cause is negligence and inattention, where the driver is distracted from the road while driving the vehicle by using a mobile phone, Al Ketbi added.

The fifth reason, Dr Al Ketbi added, is non-adherence to the lane, or driving against traffic, both of which are dangerous violations which cause traffic accidents resulting in injuries and fatalities, infringing on the rights of other drivers to pass safely on the road, and obstructing traffic flow.

The sixth reason is entering the street before ensuring it is clear, which causes traffic accidents due to the driver's haste, lack of focus, and indifference, stated Dr Al Ketbi.

Finally, the seventh reason mentioned by Dr Al Ketbi is driving in foggy conditions and during sandstorms without using lights or in violation of the instructions of the concerned authority. This, he added, is usually accompanied by a failure to adhere to the speed limits set by the police in such weather conditions, a lack of attention and caution in dealing with road surprises in changing weather conditions, a failure to maintain a sufficient safe distance from the vehicle in front, frequent and dangerous overtaking of other vehicles, using high beam headlights that obstruct vision instead of low beams, and using hazard lights while driving.