The causes of traffic accident in Abu Dhabi

PSY 201 project

Done By:

Spring 2011-2012

Dr. Muhammad Alkiyumi

Acknowledgment
In this occasion, I have the chance to thank my professor for her usual support for me, helping me in completing this project and being patient in correcting my mistakes. In addition, I would like to thank all my colleagues who helped me during completing this project. I am extremely grateful to my friends for correcting my English and practicing the talks with me. Moreover, I would like to thank all people who gave a hand in answering the questions of the surveys. Im very grateful to all these people. Finally, I would like to thank all the members of my family who provide me with suitable environment to complete such difficult projects.

Abstract
This is a research report about the traffic accidents in Abu Dhabi. This topic is chosen because it is very dangerous matter that leads to increasing the number of deaths among people who live in Abu Dhabi. In this research, investigations have been done about the causes of car accidents which happen in Abu Dhabi. Surveys are used as a primary research to get some data and information about the number and the causes of car accidents. The annual report of the traffic accident prepared by the ministry of interior was also used as a secondary research. It has been found that careless and the fast speed is the most essential cause of car accidents in Abu Dhabi. The information that we got through our surveys have been analyzed. Some recommendations have been suggested on how to reduce the car accidents in Abu Dhabi.

Table of Contents
Introduction ................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined. The problem of the study............................................................................. 5 The objectives of the study5 Limitations ................................................................................................... 6 Literature review ......................................................................................... 6 Methodology ............................................................................................... 8 Analysis and discussion of gathered information ......................................... 9 Main findings of the annual report of traffic accidents ............................ 133 Discussion and findings .............................................................................. 14 Conclusion / final Recommendations....................................................... 155 References ............................................................................................... 167 Appendix.................................................................................................... 18

Introduction Car accidents become one of the most dangerous problems that affect seriously on the emirate of Abu Dhabi. There are an increasing number of people who die every day from car accidents. It becomes very necessary for us to investigate about the causes of car accidents which happen in Abu Dhabi. Car accidents need urgent study in order to find methods on how to reduce the number of deaths and injuries. This report will discuss and describe the issue of car accidents in Abu Dhabi. In particular, it will discuss the causes of the accidents which happen in Abu Dhabi. Questionnaire will be conduct to reach the causes of traffic accidents. The data of traffic accidents report done by ministry of interior will be used in the research. The collected data will be analyzed. The findings will be shown. At the end, the final conclusions and recommendations will be given. The problem of the study Car accidents are one of the biggest serious problems that Abu Dhabi face nowadays. Although the roads are very well paved, every days, we read about car accidents and people who died or injured in car accidents. There are an increasing number of deaths and injuries from car accidents in Abu Dhabi. Car accidents form threat to all road users in Abu Dhabi. The objectives of the study There are many objectives to this study. They are as follow: Investigate about car accidents in Abu Dhabi Discuss the reasons which led to the widespread of car accidents in Abu Dhabi
5

 Shed the light on previous studies of car accidents Look at the results of previous traffic report Conduct a survey as a method of primary data collection Give some recommendations on how to decrease the number of car accidents Limitations The clarity of this research was affected by some limitations. The first limitation was that the respondents to our surveys were a small number. Only 30 questionnaires were distributed among our population. The second limitation was that this research was completed with insufficient time and money. We didnt have enough money or enough time because we are students. The last limitation that affected on our research was that some questions in the surveys were left without answering. All these are the limitation which influence on the clarity and the accuracy of our research report. Literature review The final results of the annual report which was done and published by The UAE Ministry of Interior's Directorate of Traffic in 2002 were unsatisfactory. This report showed that the average of fatalities ranges from 18, 9% per 100000 from the general population to 32.5% per 100000 of Emirati people. This average is very high when it is compared to advanced countries. The average of fatalities in the advanced countries didnt exceed 7% per 100000. The report showed that the number of youth who were

involved in causing car accidents or in being victims was very high (Annual Reports of the Directorate of Traffic, 2002). One study was done by Advances in Transportation and published in International Journal Section A 6(2005) to compare the car traffic accidents in the UAE to Westerns countries. This study focused on the relationship of some behaviors of car drive and the occurrences of accidents. This study showed that careless driving was the main cause of road traffic accidents in 2000. In this period, careless driving accounted for over 35% of all accidents whereas exceeding speed stand as the second cause of road traffic accidents (Bener&Crundall, 2005). Another study was done by Timon Singh (2009) and it was published the Middle East construction news and information News. This study was about the traffic road accidents worldwide per capita. Abu Dhabi was found to be among the countries that has high per capita of car accidents. The traffic road accidents were also considered to be an epidemic in Abu Dhabi. The author added that Abu Dhabi government is working very hard to prevent further deaths (Car accidents in the UAE, n.d). Other studies about traffic road accidents were conducted in the USA. These studies showed that the number of car accident in the USA in 2005 was nearly 6420000. The total cost of these accidents was over $ 230 million. The number of people who died in these accidents was nearly 42636 and the number of people who were injured was nearly 2.9 million. It was estimated that nearly 115 persons died every day in car accidents in

the USA . one case of death from car accidents took place every 13 minutes(Bener&Crundall, 2005). In 2003, the number of car accidents in the USA was nearly 6,328,000. The number of people who died in these accidents was nearly 42643 and the number of people who were injured was nearly 2.9 million

(Bener&Crundall, 2005). In 2002, the number of car accidents in the USA was nearly 6,316,000. The number of people who died in these accidents was nearly 42,815 and the number of people who were injured was nearly 2.9 million(Bener&Crundall, 2005). In 2000, the number of car accidents in the USA was nearly 6,356,000. The number of people who died in these accidents was nearly 41,821 and the number of people who were injured was nearly 3.2 million. This data was collected from the Federal Highway Administration (Bener&Crundall, 2005). In 2003, the number of car accidents in Abu Dhabi was nearly 7,397. The number of people who died in these accidents was nearly 873 and the number of people who were injured was nearly 10000. The number of deaths in the UAE was estimated to be six times more than those in the USE in relation to the number of vehicles on the road (Bener&Crundall, 2005). Methodology Questionnaires are conducted as a primary research to reach the main factors that caused traffic accidents in Abu Dhabi. The questionnaire is a method by which we can collect data from our respondents. The
8

questionnaire consists of a series of question that can sustain the researcher to collect data about specific topic. The questionnaire is cheaper than any other method because it doesn't require hard efforts from the researchers. The researcher has to write the question and the respondent has to answer them freely. Questionnaires can help us to collect data about traffic accidents and their different causes more easily. Questionnaires can help us to reach the most important factors of traffic accident. 30 questionnaires that contain all questions that could help to reach the reasons of this matter are prepared. These questionnaires are distributed among students, teachers and employees in Abu Dhabi city. They are asked express their opinions about the factors that can cause traffic accidents. The questionnaires included many questions that could help us to predict the factors of traffic accidents. All surveys are distributed among them and they were asked to fill in all required points. After that, all the questionnaires were collected from the meant population.

questionnaires are used as primary resource for gathering information. In addition to the questionnaires, information from the Traffic Department, UAE was collected. This information is used as a secondary research. This information was taken from the traffic annual report which was done by Dubai Directorate of Traffic in 2002. This report has a lot of information about the number of car accidents in Abu Dhabi, the causes of car accidents and the number of people who were killed or injured in these accidents. Analysis and discussion of gathered information After collecting the surveys, the gathered information is analyzed.
9

Have you been in a car accident ?

70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% Yes No

The responses to the first question were shown in the above chart. It showed that the majority of respondents have been in car accidents before. The amount of respondents who have experienced traffic accidents was 60% while those who haven't been in car accidents were only 40%. 60% of our meant population had been in car accidents. The most traffic accidents that happened on the high ways to Dubai, then Abu Dhabi, after that, Al Ain and finally to Sharjah as illustrated in the pie graph. The average of accidents

30%

50%

Dubai Abu dhabi

35% 40%

Sharja Al Ain

10

Additionally, the responses to the question about the most common type of accidents were shown in the following graph. Table 1 Types of accidents
Types of accidents

Fall from vehicle. Collision with Animals Overturning Pedestrian Accidents Collision with Stationary 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50%

Collision with stationary was the most common type of traffic accidents in Dubai. The average of its happening is nearly 48%. The second common type of traffic accidents was pedestrian accidents. Overturning and collision with animals were the third and fourth types of accidents. Fall from the vehicle is least traffic accident to happen. approximately 5%. The answers to the question about the main causes of traffic accidents were shown in the following graph: Its average accounts for

11

Causes of accidents

Using incorrect lane Incorrect cornering Animals Vehicle Condition Incorrect Reversing Disallowing priority pedestrian Drug and Alcohol Disregarding traffic red light Incorrect over taking Driving Opposite Direction Tail gating Excessive speed Carelessness 0% 50% 100% 150%

The first cause of traffic accidents was careless. It was followed by excessive speed. After that came tail gating and driving in opposite direction. Incorrect over taking and disregarding traffic red light are the fifth and sixth causes of traffic accidents. The least two causes of car accidents were incorrect cornering and using incorrect lane. The answer to the question which asked about the results of accidents 80% of our population said injures while the 20% said deaths as shown in the following graph:

12

The results of acidents

80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% injures death

Main findings of the annual report of traffic accidents According to the annual report of traffic accidents, Abu Dhabi statistics showed that there were early 1312 offences that took place from the beginning to the mid of March. These offences are varied to include careless driving, jumping red signals, parking on the pavements, exceeding speed limit, lane line without using indicators and not using seat belt. Statistics have shown that many types of cars were involved in accidents; the types of vehicles that were involved in accidents are shown in the following graph

13

Type of vehicle causing the accident

0% 0% 8% 8% 1% 3% 5% 6%

others bicycle motorbike taxi private minibus 59% bus light truck heavy truck light mechanical heavy mechanical

4% 5%

Discussion and findings With the emergence and the development of Abu Dhabi road construction and the increasing number of vehicles, lot of traffic accidents took place in Abu Dhabi. The traffic jam has become a common feature in Abu Dhabi. Every day, we witness many queues of stopping cars in the road. We cannot move to arrive our indented places. It takes us long time to arrive our destinations. After analyzing the annual report of traffic accidents and after distributing the questionnaires and analyzing data, I could reach the basic reasons and causes that led to the spread of traffic accidents in Abu Dhabi. First of all the high number of cars is one reason which led to road traffic accidents. Most people can afford to buy more than two or three cars. The second cause of car accidents is the lack of a public transport infrastructure.
14

All people have to use their own private cars or taxis to reach their destinations. If there is public transport such as trains or buses, the number of private cars and taxis will decrease in the street. A third reason is the road system. There are frequent reforms and expansion on the roads to fit with the increasing number of population. In these areas, some accidents may take place because the road didn't fit the increasing number of cars. There are other reasons that relate to drivers of cars such as carelessness, excessive speed, tail gating, driving opposite direction, disregarding traffic red light, incorrect reversing, using incorrect lane, and the absence of legality of the drivers. If we don't do anything the number of road traffic accidents with losses and deaths will increase in Abu Dhabi. Conclusion and Recommendations This study has discussed the issue of traffic accidents in Abu Dhabi and analyzed the results that we reached from our questionnaires and the annual report of traffic department. Road traffic accidents are becoming a major health problem that leads to a high number of unhealthiness, disability and death. The impacts of car accidents doesn't stop at the person himself but it may extend to include the family of the victim and the whole society. Finding quick solution to stop such dangerous problem is very important. If we don't do anything, the number of victims may increase . Some solutions are suggested to solve the problem of traffic accidents in Abu Dhabi. The first possible solution is to create a big network of metro in Abu Dhabi connected with other cities in the UAE. Many people will use the
15

metro so that that we will decrease the traffic jams in Abu Dhabi. The second possible solution is to provide more public transport such buses and trains. This will participate in solving the problem of traffic accidents. The third possible solution is to fine or punish the motorists who exceed their speeds and who don't respect the rules of traffic. There should be excessive fines and punishment for carelessness and excessive speed. This will reduce the speed and respecting rules of traffic will participate in decreasing the number of accidents. The fourth possible solution is to deprive careless and law breakers from their driving licence. The last possible solution will be the removal of obstacles to traffic flow such as the removal of parking from the main roads. If we apply these suggested solutions, we will get more benefits. We will facilitate for all people to transfer from an emirate to another easily. We will solve the traffic problems traffic and I will participate in decreasing car accidents.

16

References
Ministry of Interior's Yearly Statistical Report and the Annual Reports of the Directorate of Traffic in 2002 Bener, A. &Crundall, D., (2005), Road traffic accidents in the United Arab Emirates compared to Western countries, Retrieved on 52th May 2012 from:

http://www.salimandsalimah.org/documents/RTAsinUAEcompared.p df Absal, A. & Scott, K., (March 11, 2008), Horrific accident on Abu Dhabi-Dubai highway near Ghantoot, Retrieved on 20th May 2012 from:http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/uae/traffic-transport/horrificaccident-on-abu-dhabi-dubai-highway-near-ghantoot-1.90996 Car accidents in the UAE, retrieved on 30th May 2012 from: http://uaecommunity.blogspot.com/2007/03/car-accidents-inuae_7558.html

17

Appendix

Questionnaire
Part I: (the participants demographics) Nationality: ____________________________________ Religion: ____________________________________ Gender: Male Female Part two 1- Have you ever been in a car accident? a) Yes b) No

2- Where were the most traffic accidents happen? a) Al Ain b) Abu Dhabi c) Sharjah d) Dubai 3- Do most accidents happen in high ways or in the city center? a) High way b) city center

4- What do think is the main result of traffic accident? a) Injures b) deaths

5- what do you think is the Degree of Injury ? Fatal

18

 Serious Injury Medium Injury Slight Injury 6- What do you think is the most common type of Accidents? Collision with Stationary Objects. Pedestrian Accidents Overturning Collision with Animals (mainly Camels) Fall of Passengers from a moving vehicle. 7- Could you please sort the following causes of traffic accidents according to their danger? Carelessness Excessive speed Tail gating Driving Opposite Direction Incorrect over taking Disregarding traffic red light Drug and Alcohol Disallowing priority pedestrian Incorrect Reversing Vehicle Condition Animals Incorrect cornering Using incorrect lane
19

9- If you have any suggestion to solve the problem of traffic accidents could you write it down here please . Thank you for giving us the opportunity to serve you

20