Trucks trigger traffic misery

Sharjah: Trucks continue to jam residential roads near Taawun Mall much to the dismay of residents and motorists.

Heavy vehicle drivers are adhering to traffic rules that dictate they take the Sharjah Ring Road route, however, the problems occur when trucks are forced to take the inner roads in order to get across to the ring road.

"The traffic jam at the Taawun Mall junction is a daily occurrence, especially at 9.30am when everyone drives to work. Police don't bother to stop other cars, and there should be police patrols," said Shakeel Ahmad.

Lines of trailers can be seen from Qanat Al Qasba all the way to Al Taawun Mall, which is a daily occurrence for Sharjah residents who have to wade through the trucks.

"The congestion is all the way from Khalid Port to Al Khan Road, Al Taawun Road, Troy University Roundabout and all roads within the industrial areas. They are always clogged during rush-hour timings in the morning and at night," said Shaheen.

Most residents added that trucks, which transport goods from Sharjah ports, tended to be a problem as they often pass through the city's roads during prohibited hours to join the highway, leading to tailbacks on Al Khan Road, Al Tawuun Road and Sharjah Ring Road.

Not all the blame was placed on truck drivers, however, with several residents saying that distributing companies should take responsibility for clogging internal roads.

"The authorities should take appropriate action and fine the distributing companies, if need be. By imposing fines, companies will then think twice before sending out their drivers on duty during the rush hours," said Maria Fernandez.

"Companies should know that their trucks are the main reason for the delays on the road, and that their drivers' schedules should be changed," said Reem Al Azzam. Drivers of heavy vehicles weighing 2.5 tonnes or more have been ordered to stay off Sharjah roads during peak hours or face stiff penalties.

The order, which has been in place since 2004, bars trucks from the roads during peak hours from 6.30am to 8.30am, 1pm to 3pm and from 5.30pm to 8pm.

A police official responded that police patrols are dispatched near Al Taawun Mall from 9am to 11am to ease the flow of traffic movement in the area.

Have your say
Is your commuting affected by the trucks on Sharjah roads? Do you think their timings should be restricted to off-peak hours? Tell us at letter2editor@gulfnews.com

I think it would be better to impose a law wherein, all trucks has to travel only in the evening where there is less commuters and that they have to travel in a highway and not on residential roads. It does not only endanger the life of all the commuters but it will help also to ease the traffic brought about by this big and heavy transporter.
Marj
Ajman,UAE
Posted: March 07, 2008, 13:36

We need to stop the trucks during the peak hours i.e 6-9.30 am. Also Police should control the traffic manually near all the junctions. This will definitely solve the traffic congestion by 50%.
Rajan
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: March 07, 2008, 11:01

Every morning at 5:45, I move out from my house in Ajman to Dubai Dry Docks. All the way through Emirates Road it's a daily scene that heavy trucks block the traffic. After doing a circus on the roads we reach our office on right time. Just avoid these trucks from the rush hour and see the difference in National Paints Round about.
Shanker
Dubai,UAE
Posted: March 07, 2008, 09:53

i believe that Sharjah police can take an important action to ease the traffic probelms but to say the truth, the daily traffic jam comes from the light vehicles careless drivers.
Waleed
Dubai,UAE
Posted: March 07, 2008, 09:47

I have passed through these roads one evening when I missed my turn in Dubai junction due to traffice. To my horror I could not find the way back because I was in the middle lane, I couldn't see the boards for direction as they were all blocked by heavy vehicles. After missing 3 turns, I automatically turned on the 4th one just to get out of chaos.
Salma
Dubai,UAE
Posted: March 07, 2008, 09:18