DUBAI: A new study in the United Arab Emirates has revealed that nearly half of all injuries to women in the country are the result of road accidents. Researchers at UAE University studied a three year period and learned that women are more likely to be injured in traffic incidents than men and more prominent than in other Gulf countries. The study looked at medical records of all female injuries at al-Ain Hospital in the country and discovered that some 45 percent of all injuries came from road accidents. Of the 171 women studied, three died as a result of injuries sustained in traffic accidents. Speeding and people not using seat belts were cited as the main reasons for the UAE's above average rate of road accident injuries. Subash Gautam, a leading expert on medical trauma, said that the number of traffic accidents in the UAE involving women has risen because more women work outside the home. Gautum added: “The roads are good and petrol is cheap so people are careless." He said it is time to shock drivers, adding that “accident black spot" signs would be a powerful way to alert drivers to danger. “The Dubai to Al Ain road, for example, can be very dangerous," Gautum added. “Drivers should be aware there are dangerous areas coming up and to slow down. “It's interesting that there are fewer serious accidents in Cairo and New Delhi than there in Abu Dhabi and al-Ain. In urban areas where there is congestion, there is no room to go very fast. “UAE roads are better so there is a much greater opportunity to speed. They are traveling for work more so they are more exposed to dangerous conditions on the roads," he said in comments published by 7 Days Dubai.
