Ittihad Road 'death trap' claims pregnant woman

Sharjah: A pregnant woman was killed in a road accident on Monday morning after she was hit by a speeding car while crossing the Ittihad Road - the busiest highway between Sharjah and Dubai.

The six-month pregnant woman was crossing the road between the Khulafa Rashideen Interchange (commonly known Al Khan bridge) and Ansar Mall when she was hit by a speeding car, according to Sharjah Police.

The woman, who has not been identified, died before reaching Al Qasimi Hospital.

Police said the driver, a 45-year-old man, was arrested and legal action will be taken against him.

The stretch of the Ittihad road between the Khulafa Rashideen Interchange upto the Ansar Mall, has become a death trap for pedestrians who try to cross this road, said residents.

The frequency of pedestrians ending up either dead or injured while trying to cross this road has repeatedly made residents call for building a pedestrian bridge in the area, but no action has been taken despite frequent accidents.

Pedestrians cross the eight lane highway to reach the shopping mall. The Department of Town Planning and Survey in Sharjah were not available for comment.

Mohammad Omar, sales engineer, a frequent user of Al Ittihad Road, said that immediate action needs to be taken. "How many more lives need to be lost before the authorities decide to provide pedestrians with a safe passage," said Omar.

Raed Ahmad, a school supervisor, who uses the road on a daily basis, said that this road has claimed many lives and authorities need to address the issue.

"I personally have witnessed many pedestrians being hit on this road, which is no longer a highway as many residential buildings have come up in the area so there is an urgent need to build an underpass," said Ahmad.

Samina Ashraf, a housewife, said that once she saw a woman with a baby's pram crossing this road.

"This case clearly highlights the need for more awareness among pedestrians who sometimes do not understand the danger of their acts, but we have to admit that many people do not have any other option but to cross the road," said Ashraf.

"To take a taxi to the other side is not an option for me as it will turn out too expensive so I try to be as careful as possible and I pray to God for my safety," said a pedestrian who did not wish to named.

Residents have also raised their concerns about the area near Sahara Centre, where road accidents are on a rise. The metal fence that divides the lanes has been broken down and it has become common to see people jumping through the divider.

Another accident prone area is the stretch of road near roundabout at the Al Ta'awun Mall where a lack of traffic signals force pedestrians to make a dash across the street.

Have you say
Do you think facilities for pedestrians have not been developed at pace with the road constructions? Do you know of any other road that poses a danger to pedestrians? Tell us at letter2editor@gulfnews.com or fill in the form bellow to send your comments.

Currently I live at the exact opposite side of the Sahara Centre, and I have seen many people cross the streets and climb up over the fence just to reach the mall. This is illegal, very irresponsible, and there's no one to blame in case of accidents but themselves for not abiding the law. Just a reminder! Your life is not worth going to the mall.
Laura
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: June 03, 2008, 12:46

I have personally written lots of times about providing crossing bridges, but until now there has been no action from the authorities. People have no option but to cross the road at their own risk. Taxi drivers are also not ready to cross the roads and it costs a lot.
Rahul
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: June 03, 2008, 12:28

Once I saw a mother with a child trying to cross at the same spot. I decided to help her cross the road and took an exit from Al Khan to go back to Ittihad Road and came again to the same spot where the mother was with the kid. I put on my hazard lights and stopped near her, and gave her a lift to cross the road. I feel it is very urgent to find a solution.
Sebastian
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 03, 2008, 11:47

It is really a horror to even see the accidents take place in front of your eyes, let alone the sufferings of the accident victims. I had been staying in one of the buildings near Ansar mall with a clear view of the Al Ittihad road. I have seen several accidents take place from my room window, at the frequency of at least one accident in the weekend only!! It is still very annoying that no action has been taken yet to build a pedestrian crossing to cross the Al-Ittihad road provide a safe access to an from the mall
PRS
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: June 03, 2008, 11:43

Anyone who drives first time on Ittihad road would get in to trouble.Legal action!!! Not against the driver, but against the one responsible who still keep the access open even after 3 or 4 fetal accidents in the same spot.
Prabhu
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 03, 2008, 11:42

The authorities should construct over bridges and sub ways in the busy streets like dubai sharjah road.
MANI
dubai,uae
Posted: June 03, 2008, 11:42

I live next to Ansar Mall, and hear horrific screeches of car brakes on the road below all the time. Reading this story made me so sad, I pray to God for the poor lady, and sincerely hope that such a terrible incident will open the eyes of the concerned authorities.
M.K.
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: June 03, 2008, 11:34

Using this road for 6 years now.Really, dangerous. Police sees people crossing but no action. You can not blame drivers for such accident on highways.
Otep
Baguio,Philippines
Posted: June 03, 2008, 11:30

this case there is two ways for seeing the fact as a pedestrain they dont have any other choice to cross the road.For drivers the road speeding limit is 100 km/hr,there should defenitely be an underpass for pedestraians for their safety and for drivers to avoid accidents.
venu
sharjah,uae
Posted: June 03, 2008, 11:20

What's the point in arresting the driver and taking legal action against him? This is suppose to be a highway and people should not be crossing these roads! These roads in Al Nahda and Al Tawun area badly needs overhead pedestrian bridges. Until the authorities make a decision, there will be deaths!
Irshad
London,UK
Posted: June 03, 2008, 10:46

YES. Facilities for pedestrians is lacking. Dubai is becoming a place where you cannot move anymore. You drive a car, the way is congested. You take a bus, NO seats available. You find a taxi, all are taken. You take a walk, hardly find pedestrian way or lanes. And yet Dubai is still hosting a huge number of visitors.
AP Manalo
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 03, 2008, 10:43

This serves as a wake up call.. Pedestrian Bridge, or underpass shall be provided, otherwise put a traffic signal on this part of Ittihad Road.. Sharjah Authorities wake up! !
Rene
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: June 03, 2008, 10:36

With respect to the pregnant women killed in the accident on Ittihad Highway, the driver should not be blamed and no legal action must be taken. It is purely Sharjah government responsibility - They should have blocked all access to across the highway or should have built pedestrians.
m a
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 03, 2008, 09:52

It is indeed very sad that lives are lost this way. Buyt I also do not feel that the driver is at fault. It is vry difficult to control/manuevre a vehicle at any speed when pedestrians cross just anyhow/anywhere.
Jeny
SHJ,UAE
Posted: June 03, 2008, 09:11

As the road constructions are taking place at a rapid pace, facilities for the pedestrians are getting worse day by day especially in al nahda forget about pedestrian bridge there are not even road side walkways build for the pedestrians who are left with no choice but to walk on roads.
Umair
Sharjah - Al Nahda,UAE
Posted: June 03, 2008, 08:51

All over the UAE there is a lack of planning and consideration for pedestrians. At Khalidya Mall in Abu Dhabi, the authorities recently built a high fence and blacked out the pedestrian crossings. Safety improved by simply making it impossible for pedestrians to cross the road, but there was no alternative provision for pedestrians to cross.
Anita
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: June 03, 2008, 08:21

It is high time to construct pedestrian bridges in frond of ansar mall and sahara mall.Many people are crossing this road with kids even during the morning and evening rush hours.Concerned authorises have to treat this as a matter of HIGH PRIORITY and expedite the construction of bridges for the sake of avoiding accidents.
SAM
Duibai,UAE
Posted: June 03, 2008, 08:16

I witnessed the entire accident today and it is the most horrific thing to witness. I am still shaken by what I saw. In a matter of 5 seconds I saw a woman walk, run and die in front of my eyes instantly. Safeer mall should take the initiative to build a pedestrian overhead metal bridge. They are cheap to build and can be erected relatively quickly. I think this should happen immediately without even delay by a day.
Mohsin
Sharjah,U.A.E.
Posted: June 03, 2008, 02:22