Sharjah: A total of 3,943 jaywalkers were fined during a road safety campaign in the first quarter of this year in Sharjah.
Police launched the campaign targeting pedestrians who cross roads from non-designated areas.
Jaywalking is a punishable offence which attracts a Dh200 fine.
“It’s important that all road users understand the risks of violating safety rules, while crossing or walking on the road,” said a police official, adding that pedestrians are most vulnerable when crossing roads from non-designated areas.
He urged pedestrians to only use the zebra crossing or the pedestrian bridges.
Sharjah Police have stepped up patrols on the roads to catch jaywalkers.
The Federal Penal Code allows traffic prosecutors to hold pedestrians, who cross roads from non-designated areas and cause accidents resulting in injuries or property damage, liable and refer them to court, the police official added.
Article 43 imposes on the motorist a fine of Dh500 and six traffic black points for not giving priority to pedestrians who cross roads in designated areas while Article 48 imposes a fine of Dh500 for parking the vehicle in a pedestrian corridor.
Article 111 of the law calls for a fine of Dh200 and three black points for stopping the vehicle in a manner that causes danger to or impedes the movement of pedestrians.
