Traffic Accidents Fatalities in Qatar Drop

Doha, January 18 (QNA) -Traffic accidents fatalities in Qatar dropped 13.3% per 100,000 people in 2011 compared to the previous year, showing a fall of 16.6% from the world level. Brigadier Mohamed Saeed Al Kharji, the director of the traffic department at the interior ministry said at a news conference that 205 deaths were registered last year against 228 in 2010. He attributed the accidents to not heeding traffic laws such as overspeed, not fastening security belts, using cellular phones during driving and distraction. He said the department was seeking to reduce the number of accidents through various means despite the increase in car numbers and the rising number of the population. (QNA)