DAST to help drive drop in deadly Dubai accidents

Plans for reducing traffic accidents’ fatality rate in Dubai “to levels comparable to those prevailing in the world’s best cities by 2015” are partly hatched out through the annual transportation awards contest, revealed a senior official from the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA). “We anticipate reducing traffic accidents fatality rate to levels comparable to those prevailing in the world’s best cities by 2015,” said the Director of Development and Corporate Performance Dr Khalid Mohammed Al Zahed. “The participants [at the contest] advance bright ideas that we consider seriously in our studies as a body for developing an integrated traffic safety strategy,” Al Zahed, who doubles as the chairperson of the Dubai Award for Sustainable Transport (DAST) Higher Organising Committee, told The Gulf Today on Thursday. The Ministry of Interior (MoI) aims at a “reduced fatality rate” among every 100,000 people within the next three years. Dubai, particularly, is aiming for zero accidents (per 100,000 population) by 2020.  “Our strategy is to reduce the number of fatalities, and it is very realistic,” said a researcher at the General Directorate of Traffic Coordination at MoI, Amina Al Saadi. _She noted that the number of deaths on UAE roads decreased by 24.29 per cent from 1,071 in 2008 to 826 in 2010 while the number of road accidents, reduced by 26.36 per cent from 10,135 in 2008 to 7,615 in 2010. __The Commander of Dubai Police, Lt Gen. Dhahi Khalfan Tamim, is in agreement with Amina. “By reducing deaths by 25 every year starting 2010, we will have zero fatality by 2020.” The RTA’s Al Zahed said that DAST is among the several strategies “we execute in attaining safety and environmental preservation.” “We engage the MoI and other stakeholders such as Police General HQs in the UAE, Civil Defence Directorates, Ambulance, Education Sector, and Non-Government Organisations to boost the existing strategic partnership relationships in an effective manner to curb traffic congestion, traffic accidents and run-over cases.” Currently, nomination to the 4th edition of the award is open and will continue until Oct.31. Usually, the award ceremony is held in February. Applicants, who for the first time can be from any emirate, should use the official nomination form found on: www.rta.ae/dast. Al Zahed said the response from both government and private organisations is “so far encouraging.” Applicants will compete for categories that include Mobility Management; Transport Safety; Special Needs and School Transportation. The official pointed out, “We usually add Special Awards for the media coverage and academic research.” The previous edition saw 50 participants of which 15 scooped up awards.  ( from The Gulf Today )