Run-over accidents kill 7 people on Sharjah roads in 11 months

Sharjah - As many as 34,219 fines were issued to pedestrians and motorists for flouting traffic rules.

Run-over accidents killed seven people during the last 11 months, said a top official at the Sharjah Traffic Police.
As many as 34,219 fines were issued to pedestrians and motorists for flouting traffic rules since start of January to December 6 this year, he pointed out.
Major Abdulla Salem Al Menheri, director of traffic coordination at the Sharjah Police, told Khaleej Times that due to the alarming number of accidents and violations, the police have intensified inspections targeting pedestrians in residential areas as well as vital roads that include commercial shops on both sides.
He was speaking on the sidelines of an awareness campaign to bring to the fore dangers of crossing the road from unauthorised areas.
The campaign, which will continue till December 30, will cover entire Sharjah and is not only aimed at pedestrians but also motorists to reduce traffic accidents. It will raise awareness about the rights of the pedestrians to cross roads from designated areas, while also educating them on the importance of using zebra crossings.
The Sharjah Police are making huge efforts to prevent road accidents by coordinating with the Sharjah Roads and Transport Authority (SRTA) while studying different stretches and suggesting recommendations to zero in on accident-prone zones, build pedestrian bridges, jaywalk areas and tunnels.
Lt Saud Al Shaiba, head of the traffic awareness department at the Sharjah Traffic Police, pointed out that 34,219 fines were slapped on pedestrians and motorists who breached traffic laws. Pedestrians caught crossing the roads from non-designated areas were fined Dh400 each; motorists found parking the car in zebra crossing were fined Dh500 each. Those who parked their cars in areas that affected and hindered the movement of pedestrians were slapped a fine of Dh400 each.
He added that the road safety awareness literature - published in Arabic, English and Urdu - have been distributed to pedestrians as well as motorists. "According to recent statistics, the main cause for run-over accidents is lack of attention while driving, speeding, crossing roads from non-designated areas and lack of awareness among the public about road safety rules," he added.
The police will focus its ongoing campaign on roads that witness most accidents, including Mleiha Road. There are also some internal roads where accidents happen due to lack of awareness. These will also be covered under the drive.
Lt Al Shaiba added that the traffic department will continue its campaign to warn the public against crossing roads randomly. The police have also advised drivers to follow the law and give priority to pedestrians.
afkarali@khaleejtimes.com  
 

• Sharjah