Dubai: A total of 2,748 jaywalkers were fined for crossing the road from undesignated areas in March, while drivers who failed to stop for pedestrians at zebra crossings were given 394 tickets, according to the Dubai Police Traffic Department.

Major General Mohammad Saif Al Zafein, director of the department, said in most cases jaywalkers are to be blamed for accidents involving pedestrians.

Last week, seven pedestrians died when they were run over in the emirate, which Maj Gen Al Zafein said is a very serious situation.

"In every accident, there is a major contributing factor. In the case of accidents involving pedestrians, it is the pedestrian being at the wrong place at the wrong time, which is exactly what they do when they cross the road from an undesignated crossing, especially at night," he said.

Jaywalking accounted for almost 95 per cent of all pedestrian deaths this year, according to Maj Gen Al Zafein.

"In most cases the driver fails to act because the pedestrian appears suddenly and does not give him enough time to stop, and we always study the break marks on the road to determine whether the driver had enough time and distance to act or not," he said.

According to Maj Gen Al Zafein, even if a driver was driving at 60 km/h, he will not be able to stop in time if a pedestrian appears a few metres ahead of him.

Speeding topped the list of all violations with 117,931 exceeding the speed limit by 21 to 30 km/h, 26,185 by 31 to 40 km/h, 7,185 by 41 to 50 km/h, 2,665 by 51 to 60km/h and 1,784 were driving at a speed exceeding the speed limit by over 60km/h.

Some 8,423 were fined for blocking traffic, including 6,829 who were issued tickets in absentia; 5,803 motorists and passengers were fined for failing to wear seat belts, including 4,366 who were issued a ticket in absentia; and 3,890 were fined for using a hand-held mobile phone while driving, including 3,110 who received the ticket in absentia.

Drivers who failed to maintain a safe distance from the vehicle ahead of them received 4,430 tickets, and 6,806 were issued tickets for parking at prohibited places, including 6,332 fines issued in absentia.

Reversing dangerously made for 2,781 fines, 2,283 for jumping the red light and 1,758 for parking on pavements.

Sudden swerving, one of the top causes of deadly traffic accidents, earned drivers 1,760 fines, entering a road without ensuring it is clear resulted in 1,298 fines, lane discipline violations for light vehicles resulted in 5,286 fines and 2,086 for making a wrong U-turn.