There are a whole bunch of cameras to catch street security violators. Nevertheless, these units alone usually are not sufficient to curb distracted driving — understanding driver psychology is important to constructing a powerful street security tradition, in line with specialists.
“There are greater than 800 enforcement cameras throughout Abu Dhabi however from my expertise, cameras and enforcement usually are not sufficient,” stated Mohammed Kishta, visitors security engineering knowledgeable at Built-in Transport Centre — ITC Abu Dhabi. “That you must educate drivers the rationale why they must be secure behind the wheel.”
He was talking at a panel dialogue on the Mobility Dwell occasion which passed off in Dubai final week. Dr. Mustafa Aldah, Founding father of MA Site visitors Consulting, added that there are “greater than 600 velocity cameras along with different units” manning the roads of Dubai however an important consider accidents was that “human beings had been careless” when driving.
All specialists unanimously agreed that cell phones had been the largest distraction for drivers. “Distractions are of three varieties — visible, bodily and cognitive,” stated Faisal Mustafa, Group Chief of Street Security at WSP within the Center East. “Cell phones have all three distractions.”
Impacts a number of companies
It was revealed earlier this yr that distracted driving was the primary explanation for fatalities in 2024, with a complete of 384 street deaths recorded throughout the nation.
Sumaya Al Neyadi, Part Head of Site visitors Security at ITC, emphasised that discovering an answer is crucial and should come from a number of stakeholders.
“Distracted driving is the primary explanation for street fatalities around the globe,” she stated. “When there’s a deadly accident, it doesn’t simply impression the police or emergency companies. All companies — together with the Division of Well being, hospitals, police, and Civil Defence — should reply. So, everybody ought to come collectively to search out options.”
She added that training is vital to altering neighborhood mindsets.
“We want extra consciousness campaigns in order that drivers perceive the risks of distraction,” she stated. “We have to assist them develop into conscious of what occurs after an accident.”
In line with Faisal, even metropolis design, complicated visitors lights, and flawed infrastructure will be sources of distraction. Common street audits are performed throughout the UAE to establish and rectify such drawback areas.
Constructing habits
One knowledgeable identified that the behaviour of fogeys behind the wheel performs a major position in shaping how their youngsters will drive sooner or later.
“A research performed in Australia exhibits that youngsters as younger as 4, sitting within the backseat, start studying driving behaviours from their dad and mom,” stated Faisal. “If the dad and mom are speaking on the cellphone and driving distracted, their youngsters usually tend to undertake these habits once they develop up.”
Dr. Mohammed Shawky, Professor of Site visitors Engineering at Ain Shams College, added that street security training ought to start in faculties.
“If you need a tradition shift in street security, you might want to goal youngsters early,” he stated. “Research have proven that youngsters who obtain street security classes urge their dad and mom to cease solely in designated areas and disembark extra safely.”
Dr. Mustafa concluded by saying that street security must be handled as a public well being precedence. “It needs to be addressed similar to most cancers or coronary heart illness,” he stated, “if we wish to scale back fatality charges considerably.”
Nasreen Abdulla
Nasreen Abdulla is a Particular Correspondent overlaying meals, tech and human curiosity tales. When not …Extra
