UAE | Crime
Dubai Police fine 490 jaywalkers in more than one week
Around 490 jaywalkers were fined since the launch of the pedestrian safety awareness campaign last week after detecting a 13 per cent rise in accidents involving pedestrians.
- Staff Report
- Published: 17:33 February 17, 2009
- Image Credit: Gulf News Archive
- The campaign is helping to limit the number of pedestrian deaths and accidents.
Dubai: Around 490 jaywalkers were fined since the launch of the pedestrian safety awareness campaign last week after detecting a 13 per cent rise in accidents involving pedestrians.
According to Brigadier Mohammad Saif Al Zaffin, Director of the Dubai Police Traffic Department, statistics revealed that most pedestrian violations were found (302) on Oman-Hatta Road.
Al Murqabbat Road followed with around 164 fines issued to jaywalkers and Emirates Road with 24 fines.
Most people fined turned out to be violators of the residency regulations, and people involved in security cases, said Brigadier Al Zaffin.
According to Brigadier Al Zaffin, the campaign is contributing in limiting the number of pedestrian deaths and accidents.
Your comments
The main problem is that the simplest rules of the traffic are ignored from most of the drivers! Usually at first the pedestrian, then the car. But now it's 90% of the car drivers ignoring speed limits, using indicators during changing lanes/directions... That's why it is hard for pedestrians to cross the street even in designated areas. Guys, please try - only try a little bit to think when you are sitting in your car - this also applies to the matter of fact, that safety distance is mandatory!
Thomas
Dubai,UAE
Posted: February 18, 2009, 17:55
This is a good decision, maybe control for the accicent and safe for pedestrians.
Faizal
Dubai,UAE
Posted: February 18, 2009, 16:52
I was seeing this for the whole week on Bank Street. Live!
Paras Tolani
Dubai,UAE
Posted: February 18, 2009, 16:08
Same time they can catch vehicles crossing red signals also. I am really afraid to cross the road even the signal turns to green for pedestrians because I can see cars crossing the red signals.
Mohammad
Dubai,UAE
Posted: February 18, 2009, 15:35
It is really a good step in well being of the people. As, this type of crossing has been increasing the accidents in country.
Umair
Alain,UAE
Posted: February 18, 2009, 15:14
This rule is good for decreasing accidents but there should be underpasses for pedestrians.
Noushad Munden Kattil
Dubai,UAE
Posted: February 18, 2009, 15:06
This is a good campaign, most of the time even if its the pedestrians mistake, the blame is on the poor driver. I can see a lot of people crossing the undesignated area while holding each others arms.
Maria
Dubai,UAE
Posted: February 18, 2009, 14:38
I agree that this is a really good step towards pedestrian safety. But I think more that a lot of pedestrians are unaware of this law.
Rizwan Javed
Bahawalpur,Pakistan
Posted: February 18, 2009, 14:37
I strongly feel that there is a requirement for pedestrian crossing in Dubai - Sharjah highway, as everyday when I pass this road there are at least minimum of 10 people trying to cross this road daily. It's really very dangerous when there is comparitively less traffic during off peak hours and you drive the road where the max speed is 100km/hr. I have seen myself a pedestrian being hit due to this which also leads to traffic congestions and make the entire situation worse.
Tia
Dubai,UAE
Posted: February 18, 2009, 14:26
Perhaps one way to decrease the number of accidents involving pedestrians is to increase the amount of pedestrian crossings, footpaths and walkways over busy roads. Quite obvious really when you think about it.
From A Reader
Dubai,UAE
Posted: February 18, 2009, 14:16
It is a very good step. As those people who break the rules should be punished. And my request is that these types of checks should be there every 2 months so that there can be no accidents.
Mathew Philip
Dubai,UAE
Posted: February 18, 2009, 14:06
This is one of the best steps taken by the authorities to reduce accidents involving predestrians. I would like to bring to notice that there is an increasing number of accidents happening on the road between Dubai Sharjah. I hope the RTA would provide the public with a pedestrian crossings in this area, as it would be a huge relief for the pedestrians as well as the drivers.
From A Reader
Dubai,UAE
Posted: February 18, 2009, 13:46
Roads need to have proper facilities for the pedestrians. People who have cars and do not roam the streets of Dubai on foot, have no idea what its like to be a pedestrian in Dubai.
Ali
Dubai,UAE
Posted: February 18, 2009, 13:37
Have noticed jaywalking has increased again on Shaikh Zayed Road in front. Also on Zabeel Road. I think people who are caught jaywalking should be penalised with the intent of committing suicide. That way we drivers are less at fault. Now, while driving in Dubai, you need to pay attention to all traffic around you, plus the other side of the barrier, and now mindless people who like to run across six lanes when there's a crossing 5 minutes away.
Ineke DSouza
Dubai,UAE
Posted: February 18, 2009, 13:35
It is good to impose jaywalking in Dubai because of some hard headed pedestrian who does not want to use proper lanes in crossing streets. But I think the authorities should build up more pedestrian lanes or overpasses. I saw this problem when I visited Dubai a few months ago and I think pedestrians are forced to cross the streets because pedestrian lanes are quite far from each other. When in a hurry, even if it is advisable to use the pedestrian lanes, people might be forced to take risks just to be on time for appointments or meetings.
Jaylord
Manila,Philippines
Posted: February 18, 2009, 13:34
This is a good initiative and highly required. Even though everyone knows the dangers of crossing wrongly people won't stop unless the fines are imposed. Leave alone a single person crossing, I get horrified when I see families with children crossing roads too and feel it is such an irresponsible behaviour of those individuals!
Virudev
Dubai,UAE
Posted: February 18, 2009, 13:29
Dubai Police and the RTA should launch a campaign also by looking into these places where accidents are occured most. Secondly, place some banners that would educate people on the campaign, since in areas where you find people who are low incomed very difficult to pay fines.
Habib Omar
Dubai,UAE
Posted: February 18, 2009, 13:27
I think the only solution for those mentioned problems is the authorities must provide subways in certain areas of UAE, especilly on Emirates Road because it is a very wide road and some people have no idea where they can cross, there isn't even a pedestrian way to cross the road.
Andy
Marawi City,Philippines
Posted: February 18, 2009, 13:26
It's good news, as most jaywalkers think it's their right to cross from wherever they please or jump a red light, and this is in busy areas like in Deira, Bur Dubai and Al Satwa. However, the police should also look at drivers who never slow down at the give way signs. If the police is present at such locations, drivers are most courteous, or else they just speed through. Dubai Police needs to keep at their campaign continuously for a couple of months if success is to be attained in bringing down the number of accidents, deaths and offences. Keep up the good work.
Jennifer
Deira Dubai,U. A. E.
Posted: February 18, 2009, 13:06
Dubai police has to bring in a rule stating that if any jaywalkers are hit by any vehicle then there will not be any liablity on the vehicle or the vehicle owner. Doing so the jaywalkers will be solely responsible for their actions and will slowly stop jaywalking.
Deepak
Dubai,UAE
Posted: February 18, 2009, 12:58
I think this is the best way to teach the people about their security and awareness.
Yogender Singh
Dubai,UAE
Posted: February 18, 2009, 12:55
It's a good move by Dubai Police. I myself have seen many people crossing the roads in a dangerous way. Police should write the amount of fines as well so that people should be aware.
Asif M. Qasim Bughio Ali
Dubai,UAE
Posted: February 18, 2009, 12:41
I guess that's a good idea. Please check Emirates Road too. Workers in that area were running in the middle of the road. I guess you have to put pedestrian bridge for them to be able to cross the road.
Cel
Dubai,UAE
Posted: February 18, 2009, 12:38
As someone who was brought up to understand the importance of using designated pedestrian crossings, I feel no safer crossing at them here as I imagine I would feel dashing across the road like these jaywalkers. In over twelve months I have yet to see or experience any cars acknowledging a pedestrian crossing, slowing down for pedestrians or stopping for people waiting to cross at pedestrian crossings. In fact I have even, on occasion, seen cars speeding up to ensure they get through the crossing before the pedestrian! I feel that most accidents stem from the attitudes of drivers here and their incorrect belief that they are the most important people on the road. While I agree that pedestrians need to be educated on the dangers of jaywalking, I feel it is equally important to educate drivers of their responsibility to share the roads, acknowledge pedestrian crossings and make them safer for pedestrians to cross at. I'd like to see reports aimed at drivers being more responsible towards pedestrians.
From A Reader
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: February 18, 2009, 12:37
I think Dubai Police should deploy their staff in Bur Dubai too as people dangerously cross roads, they even cross in traffic signals when the light is red. I think when people don't correct themselves through education they have to be penlised.
Agnel Pinto
Dubai,UAE
Posted: February 18, 2009, 11:49
This is a lucrative step towards decreasing the number of road accidents caused by pedestrians.
Mustafa Saleem
Karachi,Pakistan
Posted: February 18, 2009, 11:45
This is one the best campaigns so far. I am staying along Dubai-Sharjah road and I have seen a lot of accidents involving pedestrians as they cross a six lane highway from one side to another. Poor drivers, they will be in a big mess if they hit these irresponsible pedestrians. Drivers shouldn't be blamed for this.
From A Reader
Dubai,UAE
Posted: February 18, 2009, 11:26
I suggest that the RTA provide barricades like on Shaikh Zayed Road, but before this they must make an underpass pedestrian crossing. Even if required, a fine should be increased to Dh400.
Lajpat Rai
Dubai,UAE
Posted: February 18, 2009, 11:25
Community Reports
-
Bridges needed
Al Ittihad Road has no pedestrian facilities as one nears Sharjah
-
Street lights needed
Authorities urged to act with haste before a major accident occurs in Al Nahda, Dubai
-
Motorists ignore stop sign on buses
Overtaking school vehicles can put students' lives at risk
-
Safety regulations flouted at Dubai work place
In Al Nahda 2, two workers were seen working on the crane boom at a height of 20m without a full body harness or safety net in violation of rules
Latest news
- Bridges needed
- Sharjah festival to enlighten heritage lovers
- Reimbursement of ID card fines to start in March
- Last chance for subscribers to win big
- Gang charged with robbery using air-freshener
- it was just a ‘vampire' game, driver tells court
- Restaurateur in Abu Dhabi found dead in flat
- Dubai Police solve murder mystery
- Educating fussy Emirati jobseekers
- 9 injured as paraglider crashes into stadium
- Abu Dhabi Police rescue victims of car crash
- Compensation to vary for fire victims
- Police honour residents who reported crime
- Move to promote Abu Dhabi tourism
- RTA: 0.25m YouTube, Facebook, Twitter followers
