Speed Limiters saves life

• Statistics show that the sudden joining of roads has caused 331 accidents, while 222 accidents were the result of drivers not leaving enough space between cars. Jumping red signals caused 114 crashes, while 103 were a result of speeding.
• A drop in road collisions was recorded post the incorporation of speed limiters in 2013.
• The ministry's traffic authorities across the UAE are pushing ahead with strategies to cut accidents on roads and reduce deaths to 5.5 per every 100,000 people by 2030.

Dubai, September 30, 2013: The speed limiter devices have proved effective in bringing down the accident rates significantly in the region. The implementation of the law in 2013 following standards set by the Emirates Standards and Metrology Authority (ESMA) made it mandatory for buses and mini buses to have speed limiters mounted in the vehicle, following which a decrease in accident rates was observed.

A miraculous incident took place with a young lady quite recently. While traveling back home she almost met with an accident that could have taken away her life. After a tiring day at work Sadya Omar, 26 was heading back when she experienced one of the most terrifying moments of her life.  An expecting mother; she too was extra careful about the safety and wellbeing of her unborn child.

Sadya recollects the incident and gives an account of the story.  “My heart skipped a beat when I saw an SUV coming dangerously close to our bus. I could immediately sense something bad was about to happen, I held my stomach and clung tighter to my seat belt hoping for the best. The car was fast approaching and moving into the direction of the vehicle ahead .The driver of the car was speaking on his cellphone, very distracted and completely unaware of his actions. Even after honking at him several times the bus driver was unable to get his attention.

When the cars in front of our bus collided we were at safe distance from them and were able to stop in time thus avoiding a three car collision.  The speed limit on that road is 120km/hr however the speed limiter in the bus was pre-set to 80km/hr. I was so grateful to the bus driver who stopped in time and avoided a major accident,” she added.

Vehicle collisions and fatal car crashes have always been a problem in the region. Even after the incorporation of stringent laws, heavy fines and penalties the situation does not seem to alter much. While there are several reasons as to why traffic accidents occur in such large numbers within the region, over speeding and rash driving can be blamed largely. Statistics show that the sudden joining of roads without waiting for oncoming traffic to pass; has caused 331 accidents, while 222 accidents were the result of drivers not leaving enough space between cars. Jumping red signals caused 114 crashes, while 103 were a result of speeding.

The bus driver commented on the incident saying “I am very happy that the bus had a speed limiter installed. If it weren't for the device I would not have been driving on that speed and would have probably ended up becoming part of the collision.”

The prime function of speed limiters is to ensure that the speed does not go over the set limit. Speed limiters either electronically control acceleration or directly curb the amount of fuel fed to the engine.
When questioned as to how effective the speed limited limiters have proven to be, Mr Ashraf, General Manager of Autograde responded saying “Since the implementation of the Road Speed limiter devices there has been a significant amount of reduction in both accidents and traffic fines being issued. We are very happy with the outcome and aim to bring down the accident figures even lower in the near future.”

The figures, released by the Ministry of Interior earlier this year, show that drivers committed nearly two million traffic offences from January to the end of April. However, authorities said the number of offences have fallen by 7.4 per cent during this year compared with last year. According to the figures, almost 1.96 million offences were logged compared with 2.1 million in the same period in 2012.

New strategies are being implemented which would help rid the roads of errand drivers. The ministry's traffic authorities across the UAE are pushing ahead with strategies to cut accidents on roads and reduce deaths to 5.5 per every 100,000 people by 2030.