UAE | Traffic and Transport
Anger over lack of crossings in Al Ain
Residents have said there is a pressing need for zebra crossings on the city's roads and say they are not to blame for jay-walking cases lodged by the police.
- Image Credit: Aftab Kazmi/Gulf News
- Residents say the design of Al Ain's roads favours motorists, not pedestrians, and fines for jay-walking are unfair.
Al Ain: Residents have said there is a pressing need for zebra crossings on the city's roads and say they are not to blame for jay-walking cases lodged by the police.
They describe Al Ain as "non-pedestrian friendly".
The traffic police recently fined more than 570 pedestrians for crossing the road in undesignated places.
The fines have been raised to Dh200 from Dh50 under the new unified traffic laws.
Omar Abdul Aziz, an expatriate, said the police and civic administration's intentions were focused on uninterrupted traffic on the city's roads but they were neglecting pedestrians.
"The streets' designs have been forcing people to take longer routes just to reach the other side of the road."
The situation will worsen in the hot weather as women and children will have to walk in the scorching sun, he added.
Rakesh Paguwal, another expatriate, said the authorities' intentions seemed to be to provide uninterrupted driving to motorists but this was being done at the expense of pedestrians.
"I believe, Al Ain is the most difficult or rather unfriendly city for pedestrians," he said.
Paguwal said the police should have provided more dedicated and convenient road crossings for the public before launching the campaign.
A Traffic Police Department official said drivers and pedestrians must treat each other with respect.
He said the police's engineering section always reviewed roads and took action to make them safer for motorists as well as pedestrians.
More from UAE Traffic and Transport
More from UAE
Latest news
- Strong winds and haze expected in the UAE
- Dubai Police deny reports of Burj Khalifa fire
- New road eases traffic problems in Dubai
- Abu Dhabi hosts strong man contest
- Farmers to be taught techniques to improve yield
- Keep recycling bins open
- President of Wollongong varsity about his plans
- Challenging role in Libya
- Parachuting event promises rich fare
- UAE ministry backs efficacy of Tas'heel system
- UAE students on research trip to Antarctica
- Brothers held in Sharjah for possessing heroin
- Fund drive for displaced Syrians launched
- FNC has kept pace with development — Al Murr
- Reader’s issue resolved
Community Reports
-
Keep recycling bins open
People should be allowed to do their part as the world moves towards a greener future
-
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






