Abu Dhabi: Around 2,754 jaywalkers were fined by the police in one week alone, the Abu Dhabi traffic police department has revealed.
The crackdown comes as five pedestrians were killed and three were injured in accidents in the city this month.
"Between July 1 and July 19, five pedestrians lost their lives in [run-over] accidents and three were seriously injured", Colonel Ahmad Hussain Al Harthy, Director of Traffic and patrols department said on Tuesday.
The high incidence of pedestrian-related accidents, deaths and injuries is alarming, he said.
Crossing from non-designated areas is one of the main reasons behind accidents involving pedestrians, he said, adding that there is an urgent need to increase awareness about its dangers.
"2,754 offenders were fined for this offence during the second week of this month".
Education
While urging pedestrians to comply with rules and regulations for the sake of their safety and well-being, Colonel Al Harthy said that stringent measures will be taken against drivers who do not give preference to pedestrians at crossings.
Pedestrians must make use of the many tunnels, bridges and zebra crossings to get across the streets, he added.
Lieutenant Colonel Mohammad Dahi Sultan, head traffic investigations section said that the police will continue to fine jaywalkers.
"We will continue to nab offenders in order to discourage them from repeating the offence. Also, we will use the opportunity to educate them about how risky it is."
Meanwhile, residents said that most drivers do not stop for motorists and also complained about unruly pedestrians.
Dr Mazen Al Janabi, an Iraqi plastic surgeon and a resident of the city for eight years, said: "Drivers here do not respect pedestrians at all. You have to run for your life whether you are using the pedestrian crossing or otherwise. The driving in general is crazy and drivers are always agitated with increasing congestion and paid parking woes".
Another resident, Buddy Suarez, a Filipino, who works at a coffee shop, said that there are not enough bridges and underpasses for pedestrians to use.
"There should be more designated areas. But I find that many walkers are too lazy to use the underpass."
He added that awareness was very much lacking on jaywalking.
Bashir Kellawi, a Syrian pharmacist said that he makes a point of stopping for pedestrians at all times regardless of whether or not they are using designated areas.
"But the way some pedestrians jump on to the road from any place, makes me fear especially for new drivers who might not have good control of their vehicle."
"It endangers the life of the pedestrian while landing the driver in trouble", he said.
Grim figures: People hit by cars
January 1 to February 28, 2010
- Abu Dhabi 96
- Sharjah 57
- Fujairah 10
-Umm Al Quwain 3
- Ras Al Khaimah 15
- Ajman 27
- Total: 208
— Source: Interior ministry
Have you ever been fined for jaywalking? Do you see a lot people doing it? What can be done to solve this problem?
