Motorists walk home or sleep in cars as gridlock hits Dubai

Dubai: Residents were forced to park their cars and walk home due to blocked roads in Rashidiyah whilst others chose to wait it out in Barsha or sleep in their cars until the roads opened up again.

Getting from one side of Dubai to the other was impossible on Monday and motorists reported seeing a complete lack of disregard for road rules as they battled to make their way home, or for others, to the office.

A five minute drive to the airport for residents living close by took 45 minutes via numerous detours.

Khaled M, 25 from Oman said he was surprised to see cars travelling the wrong way down Ras Al Khor Road as access roads were completely blocked.

“A five-lane highway was split into two with people driving down the wrong way. Because they couldn't get through they were just u-turning at the end and coming back. It was scary to have oncoming traffic on the same side of the road,'' he said.

“It is chaos. People don't seem to be reacting too badly but everyone ss seriously frustrated. All road rules are being ignored. The hard shoulder has turned into just another lane and everyone is getting themselves out of jams anyway they can.''

Apparently unannounced road closure meant lines of motorists found themselves stuck close to Ras Al Khor industrial zone.

“I was turned away everywhere I went,'' said Waleed Salman, 34. “The police were guarding all the roads and there is a lot of confusion. They are helpful but really there is nowhere to go,'' said Salman.

“Strangely I did see a car get through and when I asked the policeman why one vehicle had been allowed to get through, he told me it was women. Am I supposed to assume that they pose less of a security threat?''

- With inputs from Megan Hirons