Abu Dhabi, road accidents cost 4.5 billion USD in 2009

In Abu Dhabi, the number of road accidents reached a record figure of 116 487 in 2009. These events have caused the death of 1497 people. The economic cost is estimated at 4.5 billion USD. These figures account for 18% of the accidents occurring in the Arab world. Over the 2005-2009 period, the number of fatalities jumped by 144%. An accident occurs every 4.5 minutes in the emirate. Human error is behind 82% of the accidents : unsafe manoeuvers, speeding, using mobile phone while driving.