2022 MOI Road Statistics Released – Less Fatalities, but More Injured and More Accidents

Dubai, United Arab Emirates — The UAE continues the successful journey to reducing the number of fatalities on our roads. The Ministry of Interior (MOI) just uploaded ‘open data’ road safety statistics for 2022, stating 343 road fatalities, a reduction of -10% vs. 2021 (381). The long-term trend is even more remarkable, as the last time the UAE reported more than 1,000 traffic fatalities (1,072) was in the year 2008, resulting in a -68% drop of road fatalities over the last 13 years. Thomas Edelmann, Founder and Managing Director of RoadSafetyUAE comments on the findings: “We are grateful to MOI for releasing the 2022 road safety statistics in great detail. The strongest indicator in road safety is the number of fatalities, and as this number is decreasing, it is of course wonderful news for the UAE. However, the rise in accidents and injuries is alarming, substantiating the need for a continued focus on road safety. The main 5 violations accounting for 65% of fatalities (57% of injured) must be tackled. All involved public and private stakeholders are urged to consider how they can contribute to improving the situation, for example by running engaging awareness campaigns and initiatives. Ideally, schools and employers should play a vital role in addressing the road users under their influence. Possibly, the legal framework and enforcement could be further developed. A special focus on the vulnerable segment of young road users seems necessary. Safe habits should be created already at kindergarten and school level, the driving school education could be revisited, staged driving licenses and monitoring technologies for novice drivers should be considered. The share of motorcycles in major accidents (16%) seems over-proportionally high and more should to be done to protect the vulnerable riders.” In 2022, 5 major violations lead to 65% of the fatalities: 1. Distracted Driving (85; 25%), 2. Sudden Deviation / Lane Swerving (48; 14%), 3. Tailgating (32; 9%), 4. Driving under the Influence of banned Substances (30; 9%), 5. Negligence and Inattention (29; 8%). Other main violations are Red Light Violations (15; 4%); Entering a Road without checking it is clear (14; 4%); Lane Discipline (14; 4%) and Lack of Appreciation for Road Users (14; 4%).

TYPE OF VIOLATION / MISBEHAVIOR	FATALITIES	%	INJURED	%
Distracted Driving	85	25%	748	15%
Sudden deviation	48	14%	821	16%
Not leaving enough space / Tailgating	32	9%	651	13%
Driving under the influence	30	9%	275	5%
Negligence and inattention	29	8%	398	8%
Red Light Jumping	15	4%	289	6%
Entering a road without making sure it is safe	14	4%	516	10%
Lane Discipline	14	4%	345	7%
Lack of appreciation for road users	14	4%	339	7%
Fatigue	12	3%	50	1%
Stopping in the middle of the road	11	3%	32	1%
Going against the direction of traffic	7	2%	139	3%
Speeding	6	2%	109	2%
Pedestrian crossing violations	5	1%	88	2%
Wrong Overtaking	4	1%	33	1%
Fire/ Explosion	3	1%	15	0%
Others	14	4%	197	4%
TOTAL	343	100%	5045	100%

Abu Dhabi is reporting 127 fatalities and 1,756 injured; Dubai 120/2,161; Ras Al Khaimah 34/411; Sharjah 33/320; Ajman 13/166; Umm Al Quwain 12/46 and Fujairah 4/185. Major accidents were caused by these vehicle classes: light vehicles 66%, motorcycle 16%, buses (light and heavy) 7%, heavy freight 5%. Young road users remain a major cause of concern. The segment below age 30 accounts for 41% of the fatalities and 53% of the injured.

AGE	FATALITIES	%	INJURED	%
below 18	19	6%	485	10%
18-30	122	36%	2174	43%
31-45	134	39%	1775	35%
46-60	50	15%	486	10%
60 and more	18	5%	125	2%
Total	343	100%	5045	100%
below 30	141	41%	2659	53%

Evening/night is the most dangerous time to be on the road, as 37% of fatalities and 40% of injuries happen then.

Daytime	FATALITIES	%	INJURED	%
morning	100	29%	1230	24%
noon	61	18%	978	19%
afternoon	55	16%	804	16%
evening	127	37%	2033	40%
	343	100%	5045	100%

Road users cannot let their guard down on weekends, as most of the fatalities and injured are to be lamented on Saturdays and Sundays with 16% respectively.

	FATALITIES	%	INJURED	%
Monday	39	11%	657	13%
Tuesday	43	13%	677	13%
Wednesday	48	14%	641	13%
Thursday	51	15%	717	14%
Friday	52	15%	739	15%
Saturday	55	16%	818	16%
Sunday	55	16%	796	16%
	343	100%	5045	100%

January and March stand out as the most dangerous months out on our roads.

	FATALITIES	%	INJURED	%	Grand Total	%
January	33	10%	532	11%	565	10%
February	28	8%	408	8%	436	8%
March	31	9%	541	11%	572	11%
April	34	10%	455	9%	489	9%
May	23	7%	440	9%	463	9%
June	33	10%	375	7%	408	8%
July	34	10%	345	7%	379	7%
August	20	6%	384	8%	404	7%
September	26	8%	358	7%	384	7%
October	26	8%	400	8%	426	8%
November	21	6%	389	8%	410	8%
December	34	10%	418	8%	452	8%
	343	100%	5045	100%	5388	100%