Traffic Department convened a press conference on Monday morning 07.12.2010 at the conference hall in the Department headquarters analyzing the traffic index during the first half of 2010 compared with the same period in 2009, according to the traffic parameters and variables (the number of the population - the number of vehicles - the number of drivers).

Director of Traffic Department Brig. Mohamed Saad Al Kharji, Head of Police Patrol at Al Fazaa Rescue Police Col. Saeed Rashid Bushaqla, Head of Media and Traffic awareness of the Traffic Department Col. Mubarak Rashid Al Nuaimi, Col. Ibrahim Saad Al-Sulaiti from the Office of the Minister of State for Internal Affairs and Patrol Officer at Lakhwiya Maj. Ali Kawari were present at the press conference.

The Director welcomed all the attendants saying that, the semi annual report is issued reviewing all issues related with traffic in coordination with all concerned departments including Northern Security Department, Southern Security Department, Al Rayyan Department, Internal Security Force (Lakhwiya), Rescue Police Department (Al Fazaa) as per the instructions from H.E. the Minister of State for Interior Affairs. He added that despite the increase in population and the number of vehicles, the statistics shows a decline in traffic accidents and wished to continue this for coming periods ensuring traffic safety for all.

Col. Ibrahim Saad Al-Sulaiti from the Office of the Minister of State for Internal Affairs said that traffic accidents have been declined by 5.3 % during the first half of 2010 compared to the first half of 2009 although the number of determinants affecting the traffic (Population - Vehicles - drivers) have increased while the population growth rate was (2.3%).

He also pointed out that the level of traffic performance during the first half of 2010 improved by (10.5%). A total number of 75,666 traffic accidents occurred during the first half in 2010 which less by 10.5% than expected of 84532 accidents.

The Col. Ibrahim Al-Sulaiti added that 96.2 of these accidents were minor as no injuries were reported while 3% of the accidents caused sever injuries and 1% led to deaths. The total number of road accidental cases registered during the first half of 2010 is 2,482, which shows a drop of 37.7% compared to the first half of 2009, which amounted to be 3,984 cases.

Moreover, the total number of injuries during the first half of 2010 amounted to be 2,319 showing a falling rate of 9.6% compared with the first half of last year. The majority of road accident injuries were minor, at a rate of 84.4% while only 4.4% of these injuries led to death. The numbers of severe injuries were 15.9% less compared to the first half of 2009.

Despite the high incidence of death accidents during the first half of 2010, the death toll has declined by 2.9%. The total number of traffic violations recorded during the first half of 2010 is 477,906 offenses, which shows an increase of 17.6% compared to the first half of 2009. The average number of daily traffic violations is 2,655, which means that 111 offenses are being registered every hour. 91.1% of these are speed limit violations while traffic signal violations are only 2.2%.

The first half of 2010 recorded a significant reduction in the number of traffic signal violations with a rate 20% compared to the same in the first half of 2009. All types of traffic index shows significant drop during the first half of 2010 compared to the first half of 2009, and this is the best proof of the success of preventive measures, and traffic safety policies followed by the Ministry of the Interior.

In addition, the severity of traffic accidents during the first half of 2010 decreased at a rate of 6.3% compared to the first half of 2009 while the intensity has declined by 4.5%. The total number of actions taken by the Traffic Department during the first half of 2010 increased by 4.7% compared to the first half of 2009. The daily average number of activities and actions during the first half of 2010 is 5,790.

After the explanation of traffic statistics, the Director of traffic Department thanked all the security agencies including Lakhwiya (Internal Security Force), Al Fazaa (Rescue Police), Media and Traffic Awareness section of the Traffic Department for the key role they played to achieve the mentioned results.

In response to questions addressed to the Director on the indices of these statistics, he explained that the statistics are not of disturbing nature and do not constitute a phenomenon, pointing out that the Traffic Department is conducting a detailed study to know the reasons behind it and a committee is looking into this to these whether these were caused by driver, vehicle, road or weather. He also said that some black spots have been observed in some roads and it has been reported to the Public Works Authority for further action.

He further disclosed that the driving school curriculum would be revised to include practical and theoretical lessons so that the trainee is familiar with the safety requirements before a driving test. The theoretical examination will include traffic law, first aid, and mechanical knowledge.

"The work is on progress in Al shemal road and it will be converted as a major road like Salwa and Abu Samra roads with different intersections " added Brig. Saad Al Kharji stressing that accidents on Salwa road have declined.

Head of Police Patrol at Al Fazaa Col. Saeed Rashid Bushaqla mentioned about the constructive cooperation between different agencies to provide rescue services stressing that Al Fazaa is ready to meet all the communications received from the central operations room and will deal with all traffic complaints according to its kind and nature.