Dubai: Various footbridges, underpasses, speed breakers and traffic lights have been installed as the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) takes a multi-pronged approach in improving pedestrian safety across Dubai.

The authority, in association with the Ministry of Interior, is also running a major awareness campaign to educate motorists as well as other road users with the aim of reducing pedestrian accidents.

The initiatives come in the wake of a growing number of pedestrian accidents in Dubai, with 359 reported in 2012, causing 45 deaths and 334 injuries. The figure was a little lower in 2011, with 333 accidents leading to 41 deaths and 307 injuries.

The rising pedestrian casualties forced Dubai Traffic Police Chief, Major General Mohammad Saif Al Zafien to call on the RTA to install traffic lights at all pedestrian crossings, which is not the case right now.

“When you have zebra crossings without traffic lights — it is a trap. Some drivers stop, others don’t and this can cause accidents. So, do not stop at zebra crossings if there are no traffic lights. We are asking the RTA to have traffic lights on all zebra crossings,” Al Zafien had said, speaking to Gulf News earlier.

He added: “Uncontrolled zebra crossings cause a dilemma for pedestrians and motorists. They don’t know whether to cross or not, whether to drive or not. However, if as a driver you see a person has started walking let him or her pass and, if possible, signal to the car in the adjoining lane to stop, too. But, if you are a pedestrian, do not use uncontrolled crossings.”

The RTA has not responded to the comments, but has been making its own efforts to reduce road fatalities, including awareness campaigns and road safety installations.

“The campaign, which was run under the theme ‘Pedestrian Safety is Our Responsibility,’ targeted all users of pedestrian crossings, particularly Asian workers who account for 74 per cent of run-over fatalities,” said Engineer Maitha Bin Udai, CEO of the Traffic and Roads Agency (TRA) at the RTA.

She added that the campaign focused on acquainting motorists with the rights of road users, respecting pedestrian crossings and avoiding violations such as stopping on zebra crossings.

The campaign also urged workers and road users to pay full attention to the movement of vehicles and avoid rushing on the roads.

Thousands of awareness booklets and educative leaflets in different languages have been distributed among motorists as well as pedestrians.

Addressing motorists Maitha highlighted that stopping on pedestrian crossings is a violation that could attract a fine of Dh500 and six black points, while she urged pedestrians not to cross roads from undesignated areas, which will attract a fine of Dh200.

Dubai Police issued 45,357 traffic fines to jaywalkers in 2012, compared to 38,022 in 2011.

Among the safety initiatives undertaken by the RTA are the construction of 13 footbridges, underpasses and speed breakers.

The RTA is also conducting surveys and studies to find out more areas that require pedestrian crossings.

“We are taking appropriate measures befitting each area such as installing footbridges, building tunnels, establishing surface crossings and speed calming devices, in addition to installing fences to prevent pedestrians from crossing in hazardous areas,” said Maitha.

The 13 new footbridges that will be come up in different areas across Dubai this year, include two on Emirates Road — one near workers’ accommodation in Muhaisnah, and the other near the Fruit & Vegetables Market at Al Awir — along with other footbridges on Al Mina Street, Shaikh Rashid Street, Umm Suqeim Street, Al Wahida Street, Amman Street, Latifa Bint Hamdan Street, Abu Baker Al Siddique Street and Al Khaleej Street.

 

— With inputs from Bassma Al Jandaly, Senior Reporter