Dubai: Dubai Police statistics show that there were 16 traffic-related deaths in July, bringing the death toll from traffic accidents to 106 in the first seven months of this year, an increase from 99 during the same period last year.

There were 90 deaths in traffic accidents recorded in the first six months of this year.

Colonel Saif Muhair Al Mazroui, Director of Dubai Traffic Police, said Dubai Police recorded 25 traffic accident cases during Eid Al Fitr — from July 28-30 — of which 10 cases resulted in injuries. There was one death, five were moderately injured and 21 sustained minor injuries in those three days. Col Al Mazroui said that the traffic department is looking into the reasons behind the increase in deaths so that they can find a solution. He added that Dubai Police are serious in their efforts to achieve their strategy of reducing road deaths to zero per 100,000 people annually by 2020.

He also said that the traffic department has intensified police patrols on main roads, where many accidents take place. He added that they will also carry out multiple initiatives and awareness campaigns. The first seven months of this year saw 1,529 road accidents, which resulted in injuries to 1,316 people. Out of the injured, 575 were drivers, 535 were passengers, and 206 were pedestrians. Of these, 122 were severely injured, 391 sustained moderate injuries and 796 d minor injuries. Agencies