UAE | Traffic and Transport

Bad road manners 'cause of jams'

Dubai Roads and Transport Authority blamed drivers for causing traffic congestion in the city.

  • By Ashfaq Ahmed, Staff Reporter
  • Published: 00:00 September 22, 2006
  • Gulf News

  • Traffic congestion is severe near the Al Qiadah interchange. According to RTA statistics, more than 157 people were killed and 1,457 were injured in 915 traffic accidents on Dubai roads during the first six months of this year.
  • Image Credit: Asghar Khan/Gulf News
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Dubai: Dubai Roads and Transport Authority blamed drivers for causing traffic congestion in the city.

"It is about behaviour on the road and drivers are the one to be blamed for most of the traffic jams and accidents leading to injuries and deaths," said Engineer Maitha Obaid Bin Udai, Chief Executive Officer of the Traffic and Roads Agency at the Dubai Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA).

Maitha said road safety issue includes three elements: drivers, engineering and vehicles. "Our top priority is to focus on driver education on road safety. Lack of patience, speeding and bad driving habits are the main causes for congestion and accidents," she said.

She said a committee of officials from the RTA and Dubai Police have been formed to tackle traffic jams. "We have requested the police to depute policemen at major junctions and crossings to check motorists cutting lanes and violating traffic rules," she said.

Engineer Bader Al Siri, Director of the Traffic Department at the RTA, said the RTA has identified many black spots on roads, which cause traffic congestion and accidents. "We are working on improving the existing road network in addition to the new projects to reduce traffic accidents and congestion," he said.

The RTA is also preparing a traffic safety manual to create awareness amongst motorists, especially young drivers about the road safety.

According to the RTA statistics, more than 157 people were killed and 1,457 were injured in 915 traffic accidents on Dubai roads during the first six months of this year.

Safety conference to be held on November 6

With an aim to reduce traffic accidents and raise traffic safety, the RTA has announced it will host an International Road Safety Conference on November 6r.

The RTA has joined hands with the Ministry of Education and various other departments to spread the road safety message. The conference will be organised by Smart Vision Company. The main objective of the conference is to provide a platform for the discussion of road safety and best practices.

"It will be the ideal premise to exchange information, experiences and views on developments and best practices in road safety, research, policies and education. It will help improve communication, understanding and awareness of driving behaviour issues," said Maitha.

She called upon all private, public, educational and social organisations to play an additional role and contribute to the campaigns, initiatives, policies and all activities related to the roads and public safety.

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