Timeframe: Driving home a safety message on the streets of Abu Dhabi

Before speed cameras and buffers, Abu Dhabi residents were shown a grisly wreck in attempt to caution drrivers

Voiture accidentée exposée pour inciter les automobilistes à la prudence en mars 1974 à Abou Dabi, Emirats Arabes Unis. (Photo by Michel LAURENT/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images)
Powered by automated translation

In March 1974, this wreck was mounted by the side of the road used in Abu Dhabi to encourage more cautious driving. It's a timely flashback this week, given that after years of a generous speed buffer, Abu Dhabi drivers are now required to observe the speed signposted or face fines.

The removal of the buffer is part of a scheme by Abu Dhabi Police and the Department of Transport to improve driving conditions, as it was reported that last year, 230 of 525 road fatalities were caused by speeding.

While road infrastructure and vehicle safety has certainly improved in the last 44 years, vehicles are also faster and we arguably deal with more distractions.

From what we know, this image was taken by Michel Laurent, who was said to be the last photojournalist to die in the Vietnam War.

___________________________
Read more:

New speed limit signs in Abu Dhabi reveal big changes

Covered signs create confusion over removal of speed buffer in Abu Dhabi

Fines said to be halved as Abu Dhabi removes 20kph speed buffer

___________________________