UAE | Traffic and Transport
Al Ittihad Road to get pedestrian footbridge
Hit-and-run accidents have become a regular feature on Al Ittihad Road here as pedestrians fail to dodge the fast-moving traffic on the busy Sharjah-Dubai highway.
- By Mariam M. Al Serkal, Staff Reporter
- Published: 23:29 November 17, 2008
- A pedestrian crosses Al Ittihad Road near Ansar Mall in Sharjah. The most recent accident on the Sharjah-Dubai highway claimed the life of a Filipino woman.
- Image Credit: Atiq-Ur-Rehman/Gulf News
Sharjah: Hit-and-run accidents have become a regular feature on Al Ittihad Road here as pedestrians fail to dodge the fast-moving traffic on the busy Sharjah-Dubai highway.
The most recent incident involved a woman who was killed by a speeding car on Sunday morning on Al Ittihad Road. The woman, from the Philippines, was identified by Sharjah Police as Rea, 32. She was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital.
Residents had repeatedly urged authorities to build a pedestrian bridge, but their requests have yet to be answered.
An official at the Directorate of Public Works Department confirmed that a pedestrian bridge would be constructed soon and they were drawing up detailed plans to make the area a safer place for pedestrians.
"We are currently giving final touches to the tender and the construction of a footbridge will start soon," said the official.
The official pointed out that a service road will also be added on both sides in the Safeer Mall area, which will be equipped with parking spaces in order to keep pace with the number of buildings that are coming up in the area.
Al Ittihad Road is one of the most dangerous roads in Sharjah. Accidents on this road have claimed several lives in recent years.
Pedestrians trying to run across the road have often ended up either dead or injured.
Other emirates, such as Dubai and Abu Dhabi, have addressed the issue of jaywalking to a large extent by slapping a fine of Dh200 on errant pedestrians.
"I often hear about people being run over and it is horrible. [Even] After so many accidents, I am surprised that a bridge has not been built yet," said Amanda Baltazar.
"Those who cross the road are people living in buildings opposite the road and it is a lot easier for them to cross the road than take a long detour in a car," said Mohammad Ayoub.
Sharjah Police said motorists who hit pedestrians should not flee the scene of the accident and should wait for police to arrive. Otherwise, they will be heavily penalised when arrested.
Timeline
Nov. 16, 2008: A woman killed while crossing the road in front of Ansar Mall.
Nov. 14, 2008: A man injured after being run over in front of Ansar Mall.
Nov. 4, 2008: An Indian man injured after a car ran him over.
Oct. 2, 2008: A Pakistani man run over while crossing the road near Ansar Mall.
June 2, 2008: A pregnant woman killed while crossing Al Ittihad road.
April 11, 2008: A woman run over by a car when trying to cross Al Ittihad road.
Compiled by Gulf News Archive.
Is there a similar issue in your community? Have you raised your concerns with the authorities? What happened? Fill in the from bellow to send your comments.
Your comments
One bridge on Al Ittihad Road is not enough. The authorities need to build around four bridges. This should include elevators, as many people have problems going up and downstairs.
Kripz
Hong Kong,Hong Kong
Posted: November 18, 2008, 13:31
It is really good that Gulf News has taken up this issue of jaywalking on Al Ittihad Road. An overhead bridge is long overdue. Issuing fines without providing crossovers is not fair.
Jeny Michaels
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: November 18, 2008, 11:37
I think everyone experiencing this problem would be delighted to hear this. So many lives would be saved through this.
Sudha Radha
Dubai,UAE
Posted: November 18, 2008, 10:55
I really hope they work on the crossing as soon as possible.
Joe
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: November 18, 2008, 10:07
My child's nanny was killed on Friday the 14th. The man who killed her just ran away. She was working to support her daughter and her mother . I hope that the man who killed her will read this and know that he ruined a family . God Bless her soul
Jasmin
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: November 18, 2008, 09:06
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