UAE | Traffic and Transport

Enforcing pedestrian safety in UAE

Despite having many pedestrian crossings and subways, scores of people are killed every year while trying to dash across the road

Staff Report
Published: 00:00 July 17, 2010

Image Credit: Virendra Saklani/Gulf News
Each year authorities redouble their efforts to reduce the number of fatalities by erecting high medians and fencing off highways to deny jaywalkers access.

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Dalliance with death is an everyday fact for many pedestrians on the highways and streets, while on their way to office, or school or a trip to a shopping mall.

Despite having many pedestrian crossings and subways, scores of people are killed every year while trying to dash across the roads in the UAE.

And each year authorities redouble their efforts to reduce the number of fatalities by erecting high medians and fencing off highways to deny jaywalkers access.

Officials say pedestrians are lazy and do not walk some distance to use the pedestrian bridges, but residents counter that by saying many arterial roads lack adequate numbers of crossings.

As the debate over pedestrian facilities continues, Gulf News photographer Virendra Saklani found some terrifying scenes being played out on the streets.

Comments (17)

Added 17:15 July 17, 2010

Many thanks for spotlighting a grave ordeal that hundreds of thousands pedestrians in UAE roads undergo daily. Gravity of the situation is that you cannot use roads in the UAE as a pedestrian without the fear in each step. A compassionate and humane pedestrian policy is the need of the hour to save the large number of lives being claimed in roads. Askar Usman, Dubai

Askar Usman, Dubai, India

Added 16:51 July 17, 2010

These things should be consider. In past 9 years i have seen two times padestrian death near to Ansar Mall. there are more than 100 people died there but there is no value of life........

Mohammed, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Added 16:48 July 17, 2010

Dear All, Please build more overhead bridges same as that have been built in Ghusais, Dubai or Subway as have been in Al-Wahda Road, Sharjah. This will surely reduce abrupt road crossings by pedestrians. This is helpful to both people and administrators. Humble request!!! Regards

Vipul Haria, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Added 16:42 July 17, 2010

Its great to hear that there is someone who is actually thinking about the pedestrians safety. So many roads has been build in the last 5 years but without any foot path. In this dilemma people has been forced to cross the roads by putting their and other people life in danger. Please do invest to build pedestrians crossings and educated the people then see the results.

Faisal Habib, RAK, United Arab Emirates

Added 14:39 July 17, 2010

I have used roads in the UAE to drive and cross streets. In my experience, most of the times I had crossed after giving signal to approaching drivers, I have faced no problem. Pedestrians in the UAE are given a great deal of respect, which incidentally is more than one can say of India. One may not surmise a pedestrian to be at fault in case an accident occurs. How many zebra stripes are clearly painted? Many are almost invisible. People will try to cross the road in preference to trudging to and over bridges. Do you expect people to walk in bake oven temperature only to accommodate the wishes of those sitting in airconditioned cars? Ridiculous.

Mark, Bangalore, India

Added 13:47 July 17, 2010

when the climate is hot and one is tired of work than no will wait and wants to walk for a far away pedistirain crossing than people takes a risk and cross the roads. but its too much danger for the pedistarian, so one should avoid to do so.

shahzad sheikh, dubai, United Arab Emirates

Added 13:12 July 17, 2010

zebra crossings or no zebra crossings ! People in cars think that they own the road. Even if you try to cross from a zebra crossings the driver will bring the car right over you and give you a look. There is no respect for people. No proper zebra crossings are made, Specially in Sharjah ! This issue has been highlighted how many times when innocent people are killed by speeding cars.

J.Khan, Melbourne, Australia

Added 13:06 July 17, 2010

This is serious issue in Al Qouz Ind Area.. I have been seeing this for long time.... I have even reported before...But waiting for any steps taken.

MOHAMMED MAQDOOM, DUBAI, United Arab Emirates

Added 12:11 July 17, 2010

This is good that Gulf News has highlighted this important problem. This is a serious problem and the residents have no choice !! There is only one pedestrian connecting Sahara Mall. Pedestrian bridge / crossing is required at the road running in front of Sharjah co-op going to rolla. Buhairah cornichs (Al Masa cinema side) in front of Arab Bank Ittehad road in front of Ansar Mall In front of Lulu on Al Wahda road Something needs to be done soon before a disaster happens.

Saad Riaz, Shj, India

Added 12:08 July 17, 2010

I agree not the cross the road on the high way and busy streets, but how will we cross the road? is that we should walk for 2 km and then cross the signals and the subways..

Rakesh, Dubai, India