Abu Dhabi: Abu Dhabi Police are hoping that the happiness patrol project will help reduce jaywalking in the emirate.
The happiness patrol officers will keep a watch on pedestrians crossing roads from undesignated points, said Captain Khalid Ahmad Al Muhairi, manager of the happiness patrol project of Abu Dhabi Police.
He said patrol officers would reach out to jaywalkers and make them understand the risk they pose to themselves and other motorists. “We will encourage them to use designated pedestrian crossings and bridges.”
As Gulf News has reported, one in three road deaths in 2014 involved jaywalkers.
Jaywalkers face a fine of Dh50 to Dh200 in Abu Dhabi.
The police had launched a campaign titled ‘Pedestrian safety is a collective responsibility’ to promote awareness about proper road conduct. Since the campaign launched in 2009, the number of pedestrian deaths has gone down considerably, according to the police.
-Asma Samir is an intern at Gulf News
