Dubai Police received over 68,200 calls during the Eid holidays

The Dubai Police’s Command and Control Department received over 68,200 calls during the Eid Al Adha holidays, officials announced on Sunday.

Meanwhile the number of traffic accidents during the same period stood at 1,661, a statement confirmed.

Lieutenant Colonel Mohammad Ibrahim Al Rayaisa, acting director of the Command and Control Centre, said that the most common causes of accidents were speeding, sudden lane changes, insufficient driving distance and negligent driving.

He urged motorists to be careful when approaching the intersections, and make sure the street is free of pedestrians, especially in pedestrian crossing areas and residential neighbourhoods.

Al Rayaisa also appealed to the public to call 999 only in cases of emergency, and call 901 when enquiring about the various services provided by Dubai Police, whether related to traffic services or criminal complaints.

Non-emergency calls received on the 999 number “wastes time and effort for emergencies that are in desperate need of assistance”, he explained.

The UAE’s public sector was on leave for the week beginning Sunday, August 19 for Eid Al Adha, while the private sector was closed from Monday, August 20 until Wednesday, August 22.