More than 50,000 Abu Dhabi residents fined for jaywalking

Abu Dhabi - The penalty for pedestrians crossing roads at non-designated spots is Dh400.

Almost 50,700 Abu Dhabi residents were fined for crossing the roads from non-designated areas last year, the police announced on Saturday. According to authorities, jaywalking increased by 21 per cent last year as compared to the previous year.
The penalty for pedestrians crossing roads at non-designated spots is Dh400.
The police said most of the run-over accidents reported in Abu Dhabi last year were caused due to jaywalking and motorists failing to give priority to pedestrians.
Fifty pedestrians were killed as they were run over by vehicles last year. This marks a 21 per cent decrease in the number of fatal run-over accidents as compared to 2016, when 63 deaths were recorded.
Police officers dressed in civilian clothes are carrying out random inspections and fining jaywalkers. "They are fined to discourage them and others from crossing roads from non-designated areas," said the police.
Traffic authorities have also warned pedestrians against using mobile phones while crossing the roads to avoid accidents. The police said it's "very dangerous" for pedestrians to chat or write text messages on their mobile phones when crossing the road as it distracts them.
ismail@khaleejtimes.com

• Abu Dhabi