ABU DHABI // Nine people died and five were injured in almost two thousand car accidents across the country during Eid Al Fitr.
In the capital, five people were killed and five others were seriously injured in 23 traffic accidents over the three-day holiday.
The accidents were caused by tailgating, running red lights, sudden swerving and motorists not keeping to their lanes, said Mohammed Al Humairi, head of the Abu Dhabi traffic department.
Some motorists were also found not to be wearing seat belts.
A man injured in a traffic accident in a remote area of Al Ain had to be airlifted to Tawam Hospital by air ambulance crews in the Abu Dhabi Police air wing unit.
They were also called to an accident on a street in Abu Dhabi in which a woman was injured and had to be transported to Mafraq Hospital.
An air wing unit was also called to Dalma island to provide first aid and transport a sick child in need of urgent care to Sheikh Khalifa Medical Centre in the capital.
In Dubai, 1,300 traffic accidents took place during the same period but no major injuries were reported.
Police received more than 15,000 phone calls to the control centre, according to Maj Gen Ahmed Aqeel, acting director of the Command and Control Center at Dubai Police.
In Ras Al Khaimah, police responded to 570 car accidents during the Eid break, with three of the incidents considered major.
The accidents led to the deaths of four people and caused severe injuries to three.
Excessive speed and reckless driving were the main causes of the accidents, police said.
"Carelessness of motorists and not paying attention to the road are the major factors in these tragic accidents," said Brig Mohammed Al Humaidi, director general of central operations.
"The operation room received 3,008 reports about car accidents, calls for help and various inquiries," he said.
Brig Al Humaidi said heightened police patrols across the emirate helped control traffic and contributed to their fast response time.
Motorists were urged to adhere to the traffic rules and drive responsibly.
