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Police put brakes on hard shoulder parking

The decision came into immediate effect yesterday, as accidents caused by vehicles ramming into parked cars and trailers on hard shoulders claimed six lives and caused injuries to 24, in a total of 16 accidents in 2002 and in the first six months of 2003.

“This is a dangerous phenomenon that we have to put brakes on,” said Colonel (Engineer) Mohammed Saif Al Zafeen, Deputy Director of Dubai Traffic Police Department. He told a Press conference that the fine and seizure penalty were necessary to enforce the law, and urged motorists to refrain from parking cars on hard shoulders to avoid accidents caused by oncoming cars that ram into stationary vehicles. He said 14 persons were injured in the accidents during the said period. Ten accidents occurred on the Shaikh Zayed Road and six on the Emirates Ring Road. An internal police report on the phenomenon showed that the vehicles involved in such accidents were four heavy vehicles, one light vehicle, four private cars, one taxi, two small buses and two motorcycles.

Col Al Zafeen said the accidents happen when a speeding car drives over the hard shoulder and then rams into the stationary trailer or car parked there. He said the violation was common among heavy vehicle drivers who park on hard shoulders as they get tired and take a nap. He said the Emirates Ring Road needs rest areas for such drivers to stop, park their vehicles and take a short break in the right environment from a traffic pint of view. The long road requires such facilities.

The official said heavy vehicle drivers cannot normally park at petrol stations or other undesignated areas, and thus the need for special parking and rest facilities are vital. He said from January 1 to August 31 this year, 126 people died in road accidents in Dubai. The Dubai-Al Ain Road topped the list with 14 fatalities, followed by Shaikh Zayed Road 11 and Emirates Ring Road 10. Other roads in Dubai witnessed six or few fatalities over the said period. Over 1,526 people were injured in the accidents from January to the end of August. Earlier this month, Col Al Zafeen said vehicles overtaking others on hard shoulder would be seized by police for six months, following a big rise in accidents. He said the seizure order was given by Major-General Dhahi Khalfan Tamim, Commander in Chief of Dubai Police. He urged motorists to abide by rules and regulations to avoid tragedies. A campaign earlier in the month resulted in the detection of 33 violations. He added the campaign would continue till the phenomenon is eradicated.

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