Abu Dhabi to fence major roads

A plan is underway to fence all the major roads and streets in the capital to prevent pedestrians crossing them at other than designated places, said a senior Abu Dhabi Traffic Police official.

According to Lieutenant Colonel Ghaith Hassan Al Za'abi, Director of Abu Dhabi Traffic and Licensing Department, the plan was initiated after carrying out a comprehensive survey to find black spots on the capital's roads.

"It has been noted that many pedestrians cross roads and streets from restricted areas, causing accidents and casualties," Al Za'abi told Gulf News.

He also pointed out that most dangerous things pedestrians do is climbing over fences on road islands.

Lt Col Al Za'abi said 11 black spots have been identified on busy streets in the city centre where pedestrian subways are being constructed.

"The plan also includes improving all the existing zebra crossings with the installation of pedestrian signals and flashes. A number of flashes, run by solar energy, have already been installed at various zebra crossings in the capital," he said.

After the completion of all the pedestrian subways and upgrading of zebra crossing, he said all the city roads and streets will be blocked for pedestrians with special colourful fences to discourage them crossing at places other than designated areas.

Lt Col Al Za'abi said that the Municipality has already completed a number of pedestrian passages in the capital and the introduction of hundreds of laybys are nearing completion.

"The Abu Dhabi Traffic Police and Municipality have strong communication to co-operate on various traffic and road projects," he said.

Lt Col Al Za'abi further warned both motorists and pedestrians against breaking the law related to zebra crossings.

He reminded the law levies fines on both motorists and pedestrians. He said both sides are blamed for zebra crossing violations.

According to the traffic rules and regulations, pedestrians are fined Dh50 and motorists Dh100 for breaking the law. A driver involved in an accident on a zebra crossing will face severe punishment.

He also advised motorists to reduce speed as they approach zebra crossings and traffic lights.
"Pedestrians should never cross a road at places other than a designated area," he said.

For the drivers, Lt Col Al Za'abi said that they are bound by the law to reduce speed as they approach a zebra crossing and stop to allow the pedestrians cross the road.

"Safety of pedestrians is the responsibility of drivers. In cases of approaching jammed roads, they should never stop blocking a zebra crossing. For doing so they will be fined," he cautioned.

Lt Col Al Za'abi further added that another problem is parking in the city despite a number of new underground parking lots.

He said motorists are blamed for the problem as they park their vehicles at restricted places.

"There are a number of huge underground parking lots in the capital, which are empty all the time as drivers never bother to use them just to save a few dirhams," he lamented.

The official warned motorists against resorting to illegal parking and neglecting the facilities built by the government at the cost of millions of dirhams.