Monday, January 26, 2009

Dubai Police: Accident’s statistics in Dubai



Dubai Police: Accident’s statistics in Dubai
By Ashfaq Ahmed, Chief Reporter, and Alia Al Theeb, Deputy UAE Editor
Published: January 25, 2009, 23:25 (Gulf News)

Meanwhile, Dubai Police statistics revealed that speeding remained the second biggest reason of road deaths in Dubai last year with 45 deaths out of the 294 from road accidents. Lack of consideration for road users was the top cause of road deaths.
According to police figures, Pakistani drivers caused the maximum number of accidents for the second consecutive year in Dubai. They were accused of causing 95 fatal accidents in 2008 compared to 83 in 2007. This was followed by Indians who caused 63 fatal accidents last year compared to 81 in 2007. Emiratis committed 42 accidents last year compared to 57 in 2007.
The number of people killed in road accidents reduced to 294 last year compared to 332 in 2007.
Indian expatriates topped the list of people killed in road accidents for the second consecutive year. Some 107 Indians were killed last year compared to 128 in 2007 followed by 56 Pakistanis killed last year compared to 57 the previous year. However, the number of Bangladeshis killed last year increased to 23 as compared to 16 in 2007.
There are more than 900,000 registered vehicles in Dubai while more than 1.3 million vehicles use the Dubai roads every day. Indians topped the list of population in Dubai followed by Pakistanis. Dubai has a population of 1.7 million.
Emirates Road remained the most dangerous road as 46 people were killed in accidents on this road compared to 67 the year before.
On the Shaikh Zayed Road, the number of road accidents fell by almost 50 per cent and some 24 people were killed last year compared to 54 in 2007.
Commenting on the reduced number of accidents in 2008, an official at the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) said that improved road network, more cameras and strict policing have paid off. "Strict measures, increased fines for traffic violation" and awareness drives in coordination with the police have helped reduce accidents, he said.

UAE mountain covered in rare snow (Jan-2009)


DUBAI (AFP) — A blanket of snow has covered a mountain in a part of the United Arab Emirates, a rare phenomenon for the desert Gulf country, according to local media report.

Al-Jees mountain, 5,700 feet (1,737 metres) above sea level and 25 kilometres (15 miles) northeast of Ras al-Khaimah city, was covered in 20 centimetres (eight inches) of snow, the state news agency WAM said.

"Although limited snowfall was recorded on the mountain some years back, for the first time the peak of the mountain was fully covered in snow," it said.

Local authorities said temperatures plunged to minus 3 degrees Celsius (26.6 Fahrenheit) on Friday and again to below zero on Saturday, The National newspaper reported.

Major Said al-Yamahi of Ras al-Khaimah police told the newspaper that an area of five square kilometres (almost two square miles) was covered in snow.

The emirates of Abu Dhabi and Dubai also had heavy rains on Friday and Saturday, in a spell of rare chilly weather in a desert state where summer temperatures can reach 50 Celcius (122 Fahrenheit).

Sunday, January 18, 2009

Know Dubai’s most important numbers

Dubai Essential Contact Numbers

Dubai Essential Contact Numbers

To ensure your consumer rights, safety, and protection in Dubai, here are the most important Dubai numbers:

Vital Emergency Numbers in Dubai:

Other Important Numbers:

  • 7000 40000 (Ask Dubai from Dubai eGovernment): For most government department's eServices.
  • 181 (Directory Enquiry & Yellow Pages): Etisalat's Yellow Pages in English & Arabic.
  • Telecommunications:
  • Contact Etisalat.
  • Contact Du.
  • 800 1111050: To complain about Etisalat's mobile coverage or quality of service.
  • 800 1122333: To complain about Du's mobile coverage or quality of service.

Sunday, January 11, 2009

Shaikh Mohammad donates 600 houses to Palestinians in Gaza


Dubai: His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has pledged to build 600 houses for Palestinians who lost their dwellings during the attack on Gaza.