Killer roads claim 69 lives from January to May

Around 53 accidents led to the death of 69 people, including 20 pedestrians.

In 2010, 57 pedestrians were killed in a total of 151 road accidents. In fact, on Monday, an elderly woman was hit by a vehicle near Oxenham Company Ltd, Phoenix. She was rushed to the Candos hospital and doctors have said that she is serious.

According to inspector Ashok Matar from the Traffic Branch, both the motorists and pedestrians were responsible for the rate of accidents as pedestrians are negligent while motorists behave thoughtlessly. “Pedestrians are careless as they cross the road anywhere and at any time. They don’t use existing facilities such as skywalks and pavements,” said Matar.

He added that the police force was doing its best to check accidents. The inspector said that the best solution is to create more awareness among drivers and
develop a new driving culture which sharpens drivers’ skills and makes them more aware of the threats on the road.

Matar believes that stricter action against errant drivers as well as the point-based driving licence will help curb the number of accidents. It would also help change the drivers’ behaviour. He added that the elderly were most at risk and formed a large number of road accident victims.

Moreover, the inspector informed that the police was hosting awareness campaigns aimed at elderly centres.

Matar asked families that have elderly members, to prevent them from going on long distances unaccompanied.