UAE | Traffic and Transport

Electra Street signal is a danger to drivers, say Abu Dhabi residents

Rapidly changing traffic lights cause motorists to force their way ahead resulting in crashes.

  • By Rayeesa Absal, Staff Reporter
  • Published: 00:15 February 7, 2008
  • Gulf News

  • Image Credit: Ravindranath/Gulf News
  • The traffic lights on the Electra and Muroor intersection change very quickly, meaning some errant motorists force their way ahead.
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Abu Dhabi: Motorists have expressed concerns over the rampant traffic violations at the busy signal on Electra Street (Shaikh Zayed the Second Street).

The main issue is errant motorists who force their way ahead of others by entering into the lanes marked for going straight after waiting on the free right lane until the green light.

This is a common sight on the intersection between Fourth Street (popularly known as Muroor Street) and Electra Street. As soon as the green lights come on, motorists who wait with their indicators on, enter the lane to go straight in a bid to make it before the others. The signal is only on for a few seconds, which is another cause for concern.

Collision

"On any given day this is an issue that delays law-abiding motorists, especially during peak hours. On Tuesday afternoon, while I was waiting at the signal, two cars collided at this spot after the driver refused to stop for the car to move into the lane," said Baiju Sundar, who lives on Hamdan Street.

Expressing similar concerns, Gracy Rosario, a homemaker said: "Every day as I drive my children back from school we get stuck at this signal for some time. The signal closes very soon so only a few rows of vehicles pass through. I have been shoved off numerous times by huge four-wheel drives, cabs and even school buses."

"It is definitely not fun for motorists who follow rules. There should be constant monitoring at such places to curb offenders from getting away with such behaviour," said Jwas Jayadevan, an IT worker.

"Roads in the city have not been engineered accurately and they are wider than international standards. If the roads were the correct width it wouldn't be possible for other cars to come besides the lanes forming another parallel lane," an official said.

Traffic police officials could not be reached for comment.

Your comments


I have seen similar instances many times and in most of the cases we find SUV's or other premium vehicles involved in this activity. The only time we find people following traffic rules is when a policeman is standing at the signal writing notes.
Aqeel Contractor
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: February 07, 2008, 11:00

I thank Gulf News for highlighting this matter. What I feel as a driver is that the traffic lights needs to be re-programmed in a better way.
Murali
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: February 07, 2008, 09:38

This problem is common at most traffic lights in Corniche, Marina Mall and the Intersection of Salam Street and Electra (also Salam and Hamdan Street).
Wissam Halawani
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: February 07, 2008, 08:05

The signal on Khalifa street next to Le Meridien Hotel the worst. It is a nightmare for pedestrians. While coming from the Corniche road on Najda street, the Green light switches on simultaneously for both pedestrians and the vehicles. Numerous complaints have had no effect.
Aman Suri
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: February 07, 2008, 07:36

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