The UAE witnessed a slight increase in road fatalities last year, according to the latest data from the Ministry of Interior. There were 352 road deaths in 2023, marking a 3% rise from 343 in 2022, Khaleej Times reported. Despite this, the numbers are still near the all-time low of fatalities and significantly lower than the figures from over a decade ago.
Thomas Edelmann, founder and managing director of RoadSafetyUAE, emphasized the importance of this data. “The UAE continues its focused journey to reducing the number of fatalities on our roads,” he told Khaleej Times. “Though the increase in accidents and injuries is alarming, it underscores the need for a continued focus on road safety,” Edelmann added.
The road safety expert highlighted that the long-term trend in fatality rates has been remarkable, with a 67% drop in road fatalities over the last 15 years since more than 1,000 traffic deaths were reported in 2008. However, he pointed out that the vulnerable age group of 19–29 years old remains a significant concern, and a special focus on young road users is urgently needed.
“15 percent of major accidents are caused by new driving license holders,” Edelmann noted, advocating for heightened awareness and preventive measures. He suggested that driving schools, universities, employers, and parents need to take active roles in promoting safe driving behaviors.
Edelmann also proposed enhancements to driver education, including revisiting educational programs at schools, introducing staged driving licenses, and using monitoring technologies for novice drivers.
Importantly, the report clarified that road and weather conditions were not significant factors in the accidents, with the majority occurring under dry and clear conditions.
