Abu Dhabi
People living in Abu Dhabi’s Al Mussafah area, specifically on the seventh street, experience an issue on a daily basis. There aren’t enough pedestrian crossings on this road and motorists are often seen speeding by.
Pedestrians would initially jaywalk in the area, as there was no designated crossing nearby, to reach the restaurants and supermarket across the street. But, these people were putting their lives at risk every time they ran across. Several accidents have occurred in the area and so the authorities became strict against jaywalkers.
They were told to use the pedestrian crossing. So, pedestrians now have to walk around 500m to reach the crossing, walk across and after crossing, they have to walk another 500m to reach the shopping district across the street.
This is an industrial area, with a lot of workers residing here. These workers are usually tired after their outdoor jobs, such as construction work under the hot sun, and might hesitate to walk a long distance to reach the pedestrian crossing. Some people are still seen jaywalking in the area when the road is clear. But, many times, the officers spot them and they are fined.
From the buisness point of view, the shops depend on these people and would expriences losses if they stop visiting due to this inconvenience. Some shops are even seen shutting down.
The other issue is that the road doesn’t have much traffic and there are no radars. There aren’t any speed breakers installed, too. Thus, the motorists speed beyond the limit. Many of them are also distracted by their mobile devices.
If someone is crossing the road, the motorists will not be able to slow down or stop the vehicle in time, leading to serious and dangerous accidents, which could even cause death.
The traffic authorities need to monitor this accident-prone area and come up with a solution. Fining the jaywalkers isn’t enough. While this may temporarily stop people from crossing, a more permanent solution is needed. It isn’t easy for people to be walking long distances in the summer heat.
People’s lives are the most important. There needs to be a solution that ensures their security while not sacrificing their basic needs. If the road was monitored by radars, set at not more than 60km/h, it would be helpful. Apart from that, a speed breaker should be installed just before the pedestrian crossing and signboards should be installed at least 100m before the crossing to alert motorists. This way, they would stop speeding on this stretch of road, which has just two lanes.
Additionally, if a pedestrian crossing was provided at a suitable point closer to the shopping district, people could easily use that instead of having to walk a kilometre just to buy a few groceries or dine out.
Even after the installation of radars, pedestrians who weren’t interested in walking a long distance may just jaywalk. So, to ensure that the situation gets better, both solutions need to be considered by the authorities simultaneously. What would be even better would be a pedestrian bridge.
I request the concerned authorities to consider these suggestions. If implemented and people still continue to jaywalk, then they deserve to be fined. If the authorities are providing facilities, that are extremely convenient, we don’t have any excuse to break the rules.
Editor’s note: The readers concerns were raised with the management of Abu Dhabi Municipality. However, they did not respond.
— The reader is based in Abu Dhabi.
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FACTBOX:
Jaywalking is an offence, which is punishable under the UAE Traffic Law. Violators get a Dh400 fine. Those motorits who fail to give priority to pedestrians crossing the road from a designated crossing will also be penalised. The fine is Dh500 and six black points.
