The reason why traffic signals break down in Ras Al Khaimah

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The reason why traffic signals break down in Ras Al Khaimah
Representative photo

Ras al Khaimah - The traffic signal stops working during peak hours ending in long queues and big traffic hassles because of the weather

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Published: Mon 2 Jan 2017, 8:41 PM

Last updated: Tue 3 Jan 2017, 7:18 AM

For the tenth time, a major traffic signal in Ras Al Khaimah has developed a glitch, this time when fog blanketed the emirate.
"This is possibly the tenth time in months for this major light signal to break down all of a sudden. The dense fog has apparently turned the signal down this time unlike the last failures which had no clear cause," Abdullah Alshemeili, an Emirati resident, told Khaleej Times.
"The bodies concerned, including the department of public works and RAK Police have sent special teams to find a way out to this chronic problem that ends in traffic chaos every time," Alshemeili said. All the wires and devices have been replaced, but the problem persists, he added.
Ironically, the traffic signal stops working during peak hours ending in long queues and big traffic hassles, Mohammed Nasser, another Emirati, said. "The Manar Mall traffic signal at the busy Nakheel area has also broken down."
"None of the traffic violations recorded by the malfunctioning traffic signal shall be counted," affirmed a traffic source.
The emirate had seen so many traffic knots over the last few days, particularly as so many visitors, tourists, and residents from other emirates flocked to the emirate to spend the year end holidays.
"The main concern was the dense fog, which has blanked the entire emirate and hampered even air traffic with so many flights cancelled or diverted to other airports," Ali Saeed, an Emirati of Al Rams area. The long sought-after traffic signal installed at the entrance of the Rams area has turned into a big problem instead of easing congestion, he added. "Motorists have now to drive a long way to turn back to escape the malfunctioning signal."
Adnan Ukasha, Jordanian, said the Rams traffic signal has seen repetitive deadly accidents. "The traffic signal, which broke down several times, is one of the main hot spots in the emirate, despite its arterial location at the entrance of the city," he said.
Col. Ahmed Saeed Al Sam Al Naqbi, head of traffic engineering at the traffic and patrols department, RAK Police, said they had reported the issue to the Ministry of Infrastructure Development. "We have recommended the construction of a bridge and a separate way for heavy trucks"
Building a roundabout has also been proposed to force callous drivers to reduce their speed, he added.
- ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com


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