Abu Dhabi: Seven people died, and 74 others were injured in 48 road crashes across the UAE during Eid holidays last week, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Interior to Gulf News.

The 74 injured include those who sustained minor, moderate and severe injuries in the crashes that occurred between last Sunday and Thursday. However, the statement did not reveal the number of crashes that occurred in each emirate or specific details.

Disregarding traffic rules and regulations, including suddenly changing lanes, speeding, not sticking to the lane, etc, caused the crashes, said Brigadier Gaith Hassan Al Zaabi, Director General, Traffic Coordination General Directorate at the Ministry.

The official said the incidents call for intensifying traffic awareness programmes that will remind motorists of the dangerous consequences of rash driving. People have to avoid reckless driving for their own safety and that of others.

Al Zaabi urged motorists to follow traffic rules diligently while driving. Drivers have to adhere to speed limit on the roads, keep enough distance between vehicles, and avoid blocking the roads.

He asked motorists to strictly avoid using mobile phones while driving. They can distract the driver and cause accidents, he said.

The inistry had earlier said that it had introduced an initiative named “Your safety completes the holiday cheer” and interacted with people at shopping malls and other commercial centres to urge them to follow traffic rules.

During Eid holidays, police patrolling was also intensified in areas frequented by people, such as malls and tourist attractions, to ensure smooth traffic flow.