Dubai Police respond to more than 900 crashes and 26,000 calls during busy Eid Al Fitr holiday

Police in Dubai responded to more than 900 crashes and dealt with up to 27,000 calls from the public during the three-day Eid Al Fitr holiday.

The number of collisions on the city's roads was down on the same period last year - but emergency and non-emergency calls fielded by police rose by more than 10,000.

Police cited excessive speeding, drivers failing to keep a safe distance between other vehicles and being distracted on the road as the main causes of incidents.

“Some 905 traffic accidents occurred across Dubai during Eid Al Fitr. Over-speeding, failing to leave a safe distance between vehicles and being distracted on the roads are among the main causes of traffic accidents,” said Col Turki bin Faris, director of the Command and Control Department of Dubai Police.

_____________

Read more:
Eid Al Fitr marked by UAE police with weekend of giving
Dubai man rescued after car falls into 15-foot hole
Four killed and 59 injured in crashes on Dubai traffic hot spots this year

_____________

Col bin Faris said some of the accidents that took place during Eid Al Fitr were moderate to minor.

“Events security committee came up with a comprehensive traffic plan, which led to reducing traffic jams during the holiday,” he added.

Col bin Faris has urged to public to only contact 999 for emergencies and to call 901 to inquire about services provided by the police after a huge increase in the volume of calls.

“We also handled 26,667 emergency and non-emergency calls on 999 and 901,” said Col bin Faris.

A total of 1,300 traffic accidents took place during the same period last year in Dubai and the force handled 15,000 phone calls.