Traffic signal 'a must at U-turn'

Dubai: Police have renewed their call to install traffic signals on all U-turns, which according to a senior police official, is the only solution to curb fatal accidents.

Brigadier Mohammad Saif Al Zafein, Director of Dubai Police's Traffic Department and an expert in roads and traffic engineering, said he had sent an official report to the officials concerned at the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) on the need to install traffic signals on all U-turns.

"I am not saying there is an error in the U-turns themselves, but the heavy flow of traffic on the road seldom gives motorists a chance to make the U-turn safely," he told Gulf News on Sunday.

Brigadier Al Zafein said in his official report to the RTA he stressed that "if we need to reduce accidents, serious injuries and deaths, we have to organise traffic movement on U-turns by installing traffic signals."

He said traffic signals on U-turns will give motorists a fair chance to make the turn safely. "I do not agree with the decision of closing the U-turns permanently because this will cause more stress on U-turns of intersections, will increase congestion and make journeys longer. It is safer to install traffic signals," he said.

Brigadier Al Zafein gave an example of Jumeirah Beach Road, as accidents have declined noticeably after installing traffic signals on U-turns.

Trees on Al Wasl Road do not block the view at the U-turns and were not the cause of an accident on Friday night which killed the three people, said a senior RTA official, reacting to a suggestion made by the Head of Dubai Traffic Public Prosecution.

He said the initial accident happened due to lack of concentration and patience on part of the victim while taking the U-turn. "But our experts will conduct a survey of Al Wasl Road to check blindspots and improve U-turns if necessary," said an official.

Rush to avoid Salik

He said they would also check whether trees block views at any of the U-turns and if necessary they would remove them.

"We have started our investigations to find out about blindspots on Al Wasl Road after reports of a fatal accident on Friday resulting in deaths of three people on this road," said an RTA official.

He said the RTA had already closed down a number of dangerous U-turns.

Traffic flow on Al Wasl and Jumeirah Road has increased since the introduction of Salik toll system on Shaikh Zayed Road in July last year. Many motorists take these arterial roads to avoid toll but has increased traffic congestion on the road.

"This has also led to increase in accidents on this road because motorists intending to take the U-turns have to wait for long time and they get frustrated and impatient for not getting way to take the turn," said an expert at RTA.

Timed: 'It's a 30-second process'

Brigadier Mohammad Saif Al Zafein, Director of Dubai Police's Traffic Department and expert in roads and traffic engineering, explained that making a U-turn is a process that takes quite some time. The car is usually moving at a speed of 5km/hr. Therefore, if a car comes from the opposite direction at a speed not less than 80km/hr and there is an accident, the least injuries will be moderate to serious in nature.

"Making a U-turn takes at least 30 seconds and the car usually takes two-and-a-half lanes. It is difficult to get 30 seconds at a speed of 5km/hr when other cars are coming at a speed of 80 or 100km/hr," Brigadier Al Zafein said.

According to statistics by Traffic Department, there have been 16 accidents on U-turns of Al Wasl Road from January 1, 2007 until May 10, 2008. Six people were killed in those accidents, two sustained serious injuries, 27 sustained moderate to minor injuries.

The 30 seconds process was explained very well by Brigadier Mohammad Saif Al Zafein, and I fully support his idea of putting signals at all U-turns to avoid future incidents.
From a reader
Muscat,Oman
Posted: May 12, 2008, 10:21

I think traffic lights are the best solution, keeping in mind the density of traffic, and unawareness of many drivers who are not able to judge the speed of a vehicle coming on a main street.
Kannan
Dubai,UAE
Posted: May 12, 2008, 10:02

I think its a good idea to have traffic signals at the U-turns because U-turns are also one of the major causes of accidents.
Asma
Al Ain,UAE
Posted: May 12, 2008, 09:59

The driving license system with 40 classes for the beginners should be increased and the driving time should also be increased. This will enhance the skill of the drivers. Also in many places the U-turn is not available and we are forced to go a long way to take a U-turn if we missed the first one. This makes the driver speed, which causes accidents.
Vanchinathan
Dubai,UAE
Posted: May 12, 2008, 09:43

It is a good decision to install signals rather than cutting down the trees, of which are few in the UAE. The signal should be environmentally-friendly, like the ones that have recently been installed in Sharjah.
Ahmed
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: May 12, 2008, 09:27

It depends on a case-to-case basis. Traffic signals on roads with a speed of 100km/hr may cause more accidents rather reducing them, and a lot of traffic congestion. However, on a slow road like Jumeirah Beach it is good to install such signals.
Adnan
Dubai,UAE
Posted: May 12, 2008, 09:27

Well, Jumeirah is the only safe place now. It used to have people speeding all the time, as there were no cameras on this road. But now, every few metres there is a camera. I think this is because Jumeirah is the place where tourists visit most, and it encourages them that this city is safe.
Mohsin
London,UK
Posted: May 12, 2008, 09:04

I agree that there must be signal lights on U-turns to avoid or reduce accidents. Good move from director of Dubai police.
Florencio
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: May 12, 2008, 08:47

Traffic lights are the best option. With lights in place, the person who needs to take the turn, and the person who is on the oncomming road knows clearly when he or she can go, and when he or she needs to stop.
Shibu
Dubai,UAE
Posted: May 12, 2008, 07:26