Dubai: Some jaywalkers are still risking death or serious injury by crossing busy roads from undesignated points in Sharjah, despite new railings to deter them in some areas.
The fencing was recently installed on sections of Al Wahda Road, Al Ittihad Road and Al Nahda Road.
Over the years a number of people have been fatally run over while crossing Al Ittihad and Al Nahda roads at undesignated areas.
There is no pedestrian crossing on Al Ittihad Road (Sharjah side) and only one footbridge on Al Nahda road. Pedestrians complain they need more crossings at the roads, which run through busy and populated areas.
Previous railings on Al Nahda Road had gaps near a speed camera and missing bars — apparently removed by vandals — which served as crossing points.
In an apparent bid to curb the dangerous practice, authorities installed higher railings with no gaps.
However, many jaywalkers are still finding ways to cross over. They go around an isolated patch of the fencing that blocks a gap in the divider on Al Ittihad Road, opposite Al Ansar Mall.
The gap, which had apparently been left for police and ambulance vehicles, was used as an illegal crossing point by pedestrians.
The new railing has deterred some jaywalkers but others continue to get around it.
They are also crossing Al Nahda Road where the railing ends near Al Nahda Interchange. Until recently, jaywalkers were squeezing through a small gap under the railing near Sahara Centre mall. That gap has been closed off now.
The speed limit on Al Ittihad Road is 100km/h, while it is 80km/h on Al Nahda Road.
Also problematic is the 60km/h Al Taawun Road, which has no pedestrian crossing but is used by pedestrians. Cars braking hard to avoid darting pedestrians and narrow misses are part of the daily scene there.
A senior police official had earlier told Gulf News that jaywalkers would be referred to court if caught crossing at undesignated points. He pointed out that motorists who fatally hit jaywalkers would not have to pay the compensatory “blood money” if the jaywalkers’ fault is proven in court.
A fresh comment from Sharjah’s new Roads and Transport Authority was not immediately available.
A young Asian jaywalker said on condition of anonymity that it is “too convenient” to use gaps. “It’s so hot you can barely take a few steps, who will walk a mile to the nearest [designated] crossing?” he said.
