UAE | Traffic and Transport

Drivers in a jam all revved up over World Car-free Day

UAE residents have not been given the chance to participate in a global initiative aimed at reducing traffic levels in countries across the world.

  • By Kevin Scott, Staff Reporter
  • Published: 00:04 September 22, 2008
  • Gulf News

  • The UAE's streets face another typical day of gridlock and congestion on Monday despite it being World Car-free Day.
  • Image Credit: Vazhisojan/Gulf News

Dubai: UAE residents have not been given the chance to participate in a global initiative aimed at reducing traffic levels in countries across the world.

World Car-free Day, celebrated on September 22 every year, aims to show people what cities would look, feel and sound like without cars.

People in countries across the world, including Brazil, India, Australia, the US and dozens of European nations, are gathering on streets, intersections and neighbourhoods to remind people they don't have to accept a car-dominated society.

Hundreds of cities have organised festivities, mass bicycle rides and free public transport for citizens.

But roads in Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi remain gridlocked today because the authorities have shown no desire to participate in the event.

Gulf News spoke to several motorists yesterday and found none of them had even heard of World Car-free Day.

Fady Nessim, a 30-year-old accountant from Egypt, is driving to work on Monday because "no other public transport options are available".

He said: "I don't think an event like this would work in Dubai anyway. Nobody would sacrifice their car for the day because the weather is still too hot and waiting for a bus or a taxi is pretty uncomfortable."

Mass transportation

Laila Whitemore, a 25-year-old sponsorship manager of Emirati and Australian descent, said her car gave her independence and allowed her to travel at times that suited her.

"I live in the Dubai Marina and it takes me about an hour to get to my office in Al Safa every day," she said. "However, it would be even worse without my car as taxis often take ages to turn up."

World Car-free Day, promoted by the World Carfree Network, is intended to advance the economic, social and environmental benefits of mass transportation.

But Zaher S., a 28-year-old graphic designer from Syria, said many UAE residents wouldn't participate in World Car-free Day even if they knew about it because many of them are "too lazy".

He said: "There are few alternatives to driving in the UAE but many people in this country live comfortable lifestyles and are too lazy to use public transport."

Prasanna Shelty, a 43-year-old IT professional from India, is already making an effort to cut congestion by car-pooling to work everyday with his colleague and brother-in-law.

He said: "People should make an effort every day to help cut down traffic levels in Dubai."

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