Pedestrians risk life and limb on Abu Dhabi's streets

Abu Dhabi: Nearly 200 pedestrians have died after being run over by cars in Abu Dhabi between March to November, soon after the Federal Traffic Law took effect, police officials said.

"There is growing concern over the high number of pedestrian-related accidents," a traffic police official said, adding that educating jaywalkers is a very difficult task.

"Only one logic applies to some...instead of walking for a few extra minutes why not judge the speed of a vehicle and take a risk? But they are endangering their lives in the process," said the official, who asked not to be named.

The new traffic law in March increased the fine issued to pedestrians for crossing at undesignated areas four-fold, but the Dh200 fine does not seem to deter people from running across busy streets and dodging vehicles.

Some 8262 pedestrians were fined between March and November, said Colonel Hamad Adil Al Shamsi, director of the Traffic and Patrols Department.

"These accidents mostly occur since people do not follow regulations," he said, acknowledging that sometimes motorists do not stop or slow down at pedestrian crossings.

Al Shamsi called on concerned officials at companies that employ large number of labourers, to educate their employees and help curb pedestrian deaths.

He urged pedestrians to use pedestrian underpasses and zebra crossings in the city.

Crossing the special pedestrian crossing is sometimes more dangerous than crossing in the middle of the street. Drivers hardly pay attention to pedestrians in those designated areas, and the authorities should pay a bit more attention to this.
Waj
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: November 22, 2008, 13:20

I am a motorist and I daily see pedestrians crossing the streets at undesignated places. However, it has become very hard to cross the streets even at designated places.
Emil Kazimli
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: November 22, 2008, 11:58

I agree that educating the general public on how to cross the road safely is not an easy task. I think that there are less people walking now than six months ago. However, most drivers have the idea that the roads are only for them.
Geoff
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: November 22, 2008, 11:01

I highly recommend that it first be taught to all drivers to stop at a pedestrian crossing rather than race the pedestrian to the crossing. The pedestrian always has the right of way.
Dave
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: November 22, 2008, 09:55

People here in Abu Dhabi are tempted to cross the because of some open fences and railings. Closing these fences will force the pedestrians to use the underpass and therefore prevent fatal accidents to occur.
Roy Allan
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: November 22, 2008, 09:47

Driving is so dangerous in Abu Dhabi, that even though I am a law abiding driver, many times I was saved from accidents only because of the blessing of God.
From a reader
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: November 22, 2008, 08:04

Authorities need to install more street lights.
Mohamed Moinudeen
Dubai,UAE
Posted: November 22, 2008, 06:54

I came across some near-hit situations. What makes me more angry is that parents take their children and cross the red signal. If you say something then you are rude and should not interfere with their business.
B. Peetz
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: November 22, 2008, 05:23

There are not enough pedestrian lanes. That is the biggest cause and problem.
Domingo
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: November 22, 2008, 05:22

This is a scary number and it did not reach that high even in cities with lower infrastructure and higher population.
Joypo
Dubai,UAE
Posted: November 22, 2008, 03:42

There should be special areas for pedestrians to cross on different streets.
WNR
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: November 22, 2008, 02:47

There should be a bridge or tunnel on fast lanes for pedestrians.
Obaidullah
Peshawar,Pakistan
Posted: November 22, 2008, 02:44