Deadly daily dodging game

Sharjah: Pedestrians fear for their lives as they dodge speeding motorists while they try to cross roads.

Residents said the authorities should build signalled pedestrian crossings and place speed humps.

Don Ralph, a resident living in Al Nud district along King Faisal Road, told Gulf News that it is commonplace for pedestrians to take a "do-or-die chance to cross to the other side".

Ralph said he was shocked to see young and old residents, who live near the Nova Park Hotel, unable to cross to the opposite side of the road to reach the shops and supermarkets.

No alternative

"I am one of those people who have to run across the road because there is no alternative route to take, and it takes 25 minutes for a clear way. There's no need for the motorists to stop, so if I get hit I will be the one blamed," he said.

"I have a 17-year-old son and do not want him to cross the road because it is very dangerous," he said, urging the authorities to build a speed hump or a traffic signal as soon as possible.

Ratna Devar Murthy, 49, has trouble crossing the roads across the Kuwait Roundabout because there is no discipline from the motorists who refuse to give him way.

"I sometimes have to jump on the road and run quickly to the other side. I get scared when I do that and want to stop halfway through, but then for sure the cars will hit me so I have to run quicker," Murthy said.

Motorists are facing trouble trying to avoid the pedestrians and say that driving will be a smoother ride if there were more zebra crossings. "It is scary to drive on Ittihad Road and see the people jumping over the barriers. I do not know whether to flash the headlights or to stop and possibly get hit by the car behind me," said Sara Ebrahim.

"Everybody's life is endangered when people cross where they are not supposed to, but what other alternative do the pedestrians have?" the motorist asked.

Roadworks:No speed humps or traffic signals soon

An official at Sharjah Municipality said the municipality is taking the matter into consideration but is unable to add speed humps or traffic signals soon, due to the number of roadworks leading out of the city.

"We are focusing on the construction of the roads which are being carried out with the cooperation of the Public Works Department, and have also developed a plan to put pedestrian crossings in the city. However, the plan is still under study and will not be carried out until the roadworks are completed," said Sultan Al Mualla, Director General Assistant of Governmental Projects Department at Sharjah Municipality.

- M.A.S.

It will take just few buses from Abu Dhabi municipality to travel the Abu Dhabi roads in a continuous manner to clear up the traffic congestion, pedestrian safety and parking problems.
Kishore
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: September 30, 2007, 14:18

Another location which is in dire need of a pedestrian crossing is Al Nahda, Sahara Centre. Everyday I see children, ladies and men jumping over the fences.
Sadaf
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: September 30, 2007, 12:32

The authorities should build overpasses for pedestrians. Even poorer countries than the UAE like the Philippines have overpasses linking vital establishments on opposite sides of the road with another. Why can't the government see the danger of people dodging cars and trucks just to cross the street? These should also be placed strategically so that a pedestrian will not have to walk a kilometre just to cross the street. Take for example Shaikh Zayed Road. I hope they have planned to construct overpasses or underpasses at each station.
Sinnerman
Dubai,UAE
Posted: September 30, 2007, 11:07

We need a pedestrian crossing near Sahara Mall. Even the three underpasses on Al Wahda street from City Centre to Dubai are accident prone areas.
Mohammed
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: September 30, 2007, 10:00

Sharjah in general needs more traffic patrols. The roads are quite narrow and broader, proper planning is needed.
Syed
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: September 30, 2007, 09:47

I would like to add my experiences on Al Tawun Road, near Al Amal Tower and Eppco petrol pump station. There have been several accidents involving adults and school children but no action has been taken.
Muhammad
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: September 30, 2007, 09:43

As I live in Sharjah near King Faisal mosque, I know perfectly well how dangerous it can be to cross the street there. However, I don't think that zebra crossings or speedhumps alone would help to increase the safety for pedestrians; motorists should be more attentive of pedestrians. The best way to allow people crossing the street would be putting up more signals.
Susan
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: September 30, 2007, 09:33

The best way to tackle this issue is to build underpasses. This is because they do not hinder the traffic and are very much more effective than overpasses, humps or pedestrian crossings. For example the overpass in Al Wahda street near Al Falah Plaza - people avoid the overpass and cross the median to cross the road because walking the overpass takes much time and is tiring.
Sabu
Dubai,UAE
Posted: September 30, 2007, 08:48

Lack of affordable public transportation in Abu Dhabi and Sharjah contribute to this problem.
Swapan
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: September 30, 2007, 07:55

It would be of immense help to motorists as well as the pedestrians crossing Al Ithiad road if there is an overhead pedestrian crossing in front of Ansar Mall and another one in front of Safeer Mall. Many serious and fatal accidents have occured on these spots.
Thomas
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: September 30, 2007, 07:33

The authorities are responsible for the lack of pedestrian crossings. However, drivers should show respect and slow down instead of accelerating and flashing their lights when a pedestrian is trying to cros the street.
Patricia
Dubai,UAE
Posted: September 30, 2007, 07:07

It seems that pedestrian safety is not among the periorities of the Municipality. what a shame.
Saif
Al Ain,UAE
Posted: September 30, 2007, 05:13

Instead of planning and building bridges for pedestrians, Sharjah officials are planning speed bumps! Effective changes should be made.
Karkain
Dubai,UAE
Posted: September 30, 2007, 02:30