Dubai
I wish to bring to the attention of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) an issue that could lead to tragic accidents. I am referring to a stretch of inner road in the Oud Metha area in Dubai, in the vicinity of a popular mall. When traffic approaches from Al Garhoud Bridge towards Karama, there is an exit with a narrow lane that takes motorists towards the residential area.
It is a single lane that has a speed limit of 60kph. The problem is that motorists enter the lane at a high speed and continue to zoom on without paying heed to the limit, which in my opinion, is already very high at 60kph, for a single lane.
This is a peaceful residential area where many pedestrians, especially those going for a run, cross the road and children play about in the area, too.
Recently, a dog that was being taken for a walk by the owner was run over by a speeding car. A few days later, I was witness to a near tragedy. A young boy was crossing the road, when a speeding car came racing towards him and almost knocked him down. This is what made me bring this matter to the notice of authorities as I am sure the speeding vehicles may cause a serious accident one day.
I would like to urge the RTA to immediately look into this problem and build speed bumps in this lane and also consider lowering the speed limit to 40kph, as some cars come speeding from Al Garhoud Bridge at well over 100kph. I feel if this is not done, we will soon have a tragedy on our hands. I appeal to the RTA to take necessary action before such a tragedy occurs.
— The reader is a managing director based in Dubai.
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BOX: The reader’s concerns were raised with the management of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and after investigating the issue, they stated: “The RTA will study this location and do the needful to calm traffic, according to the procedures followed.”
