One death every four days on roads MORE than 1,600 people were injured on Bahrains roads last year according to the latest statistics, with 95,965 accidents reported. On average somebody died in a crash once every four days in 2013, while a road traffic accident occurred every 5 minutes and 48 seconds. These figures, from the General Directorate of Traffic, also reveal that almost a third of fatal accidents occurred in and around Manama, followed by 24 per cent in the Central and Northern Governorates, 12pc in the Southern Governorate and 11pc in Muharraq. Of the 86 fatalities, 43 were drivers, 16 passengers and 27 pedestrians. Broken down, the detailed statistics show that the death rate increased last year from 1.48 per 10,000 registered vehicles to 1.58 - although the number of injuries has decreased from a high of 2,043 in 2008 to 1,627 in 2013. By studying historical patterns of accidents and forecasting trends, action can be taken through engineering, enforcement and education to reduce the number of accidents and casualties on Bahrains roads, said the report. The General Directorate of Traffic would like to illustrate these facts, hoping that all people concerned benefit from it. The statistics show that of all the drivers involved in accidents that led to an injury, 43pc had less than four years of driving experience and more than half of all the drivers who were themselves injured were aged between 20 and 35. Bahraini males aged 20 to 24 were the most likely to cause traffic accidents while non-Bahraini females aged 45 and above were the least likely to be at fault in a crash. By nationality, slightly more than 63pc of the drivers involved in accidents were Bahraini followed by Indians at 12pc and Pakistanis at 5pc. A staggering 402,225 different traffic violations were recorded last year with 12pc related to speeding and 5pc to jumping red lights. One-tenth of the violations took place in April alone, while more accidents took place on a Tuesday and Wednesday than any other day of the week. More than 20,600 drivers were caught running a red light last year, 17,171 driving while using a mobile phone, 237 driving under the influence and 1,068 driving without a valid licence. The total number of registered vehicles in Bahrain in 2013 was 545,155, of which 45,868 were newly registered. Accident blackspots identified in the report included Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Highway, where 5.8pc of accidents took place, and the Alba Roundabout. The directorate further added in its report that it issued 37,534 new full driving licences last year and 41,652 learner licences. l Authorities registered 11 traffic accidents including four with serious injuries during the Eid Al Fitr holidays last week. General Directorate of Traffic acting director of traffic culture Major Osama Bahar said yesterday that no fatal accident was reported. He said that most of them occurred because of wrong traffic practices by drivers. Major Bahar said that Eid holidays witnessed a reduction in traffic accident rates compared with the same period of last year which witnessed 12 accidents, including eight with serious injuries. The reduction occurred despite the rapid increase in number of vehicles and the entry of huge numbers of cars through King Fahad Causeway.
Posted on: Wed, 06 Aug 2014 06:21:22 +0000
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