UAE | Traffic and Transport

Firms urged to give road closure notices

The Traffic and Licensing Department here complained on Monday that contractors do not consult with the roads department when closing down roads for construction works.

  • By Nasouh Nazzal, Staff Reporter
  • Published: 23:33 December 29, 2008
  • Gulf News

  • Image Credit: Supplied picture
  • Colonel Nasser Muradad.

Ras Al Khaimah :The Traffic and Licensing Department here complained on Monday that contractors do not consult with the roads department when closing down roads for construction works.

Colonel Nasser Muradad, who heads the department, said that consultation and coordination with the department was mandatory, but the road contractors commissioned to work on the emirate's roads do not adhere to the rules.

He added that the department realises about roads closure only after works have commenced, and urged the contractors to coordinate with the emirate's municipality and the Northern Region Department of Public Works and Housing, when undertaking roadworks.

Colonel Muradad said that these "road closure surprises" always lead to accidents, as "there are no proper traffic signs and signals to warn the motorists."

Safety measures

He said that the police patrols should be informed in advance of any possible work on the emirate's streets, to ensure that all the necessary measures are taken, for the safety of road users.

Colonel Muradad said that the department's Traffic and Licensing Department should be informed in advance in order to ascertain traffic flow. He said that lack of a traffic engineer has been the other major problem in the emirate, adding that the role of such an officer was fundamental "as he would study and come up with recommendations for areas in which many road accidents are reported."

Major Muradad said that over speeding has been the main reason for the increasing number of road accidents in Ras Al Khaimah. He added that since the beginning of this year 95 people have died in traffic accidents in the emirate, which is 40 per cent increase as only 68 deaths were recorded in 2007.

He called on drivers to maintain their safety as well as that of their passengers, while driving.

Colonel Muradad announced that two new radars will be introduced in Ras Al Khaimah soon, in a bid to control the speed limits in the emirate.

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