One student dies, 11 others injured in Hatta road accident

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

A student perished and 11 other individuals, including the driver, sustained injuries of varying degrees in a vehicular accident on Hatta Lahbab Road on Tuesday morning.

The incident occurred when the vehicle collided with an iron barrier and subsequently veered into a sandy field, as reported by the Dubai Police.

Major General Saif Muhair Al Mazrouei, Acting Assistant Commander-in-Chief for Operations at Dubai Police, stated that preliminary information indicates that the cause of the accident was excessive speed, negligence and inattention on the part of the driver.

He lost control of the vehicle, swerving suddenly and hitting the iron barrier before flipping over the sandy area outside the street. The student died on the spot, while 11 others sustained varying injuries and were taken to hospital, Al Mazrouei added.

He added that the competent teams from the General Directorate of Traffic immediately responded to the incident, while experts from the Traffic Accident Department swiftly arrived on the scene to investigate and gather evidence to determine the cause of the accident.

Traffic patrols organised the traffic, secured the scene of the accident, facilitated the arrival of ambulances and took the necessary measures.

He highlighted that the primary causes of road accidents include excessive speed, sudden swerving from the intended route, and a lack of responsibility on the part of drivers.

He urged motorists to exercise caution and vigilance while driving to avoid unexpected hazards, to get sufficient rest before starting to drive, and to refrain from driving and from engaging in any activities that could distract their attention from the road in order to minimise the risk of accidents.

Al Mazrouei also urged parents to select drivers who are adequately qualified and capable of driving safely, and who adhere to the relevant traffic regulations and standards of conduct when transporting students to and from school.

Additionally, he cautioned against the risks associated with driving while experiencing excessive fatigue, stressing that fatigue is a significant factor that impairs the ability to drive safely, particularly when coupled with extended work hours.

These circumstances lead to diminished concentration and slower reaction times due to exhaustion, in addition to exceeding the recommended load limits for vehicles.