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Video: Special patrols to curb traffic congestions on MBZ road launched

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Video: Special patrols to curb traffic congestions on MBZ road launched

Dubai - Each vehicle will cover about 13km to ensure speedy access to accident scenes in under 10 minutes.

By Staff Reporter

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Published: Mon 17 Sep 2018, 1:57 PM

Last updated: Tue 18 Sep 2018, 8:34 AM

A traffic unit that will be deployed on a 70km stretch of the Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road on a trial basis for one year was launched on Monday.
Top officials from the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and the Dubai Police attended the launch of the Traffic Incidents Management Unit's patrols that will be stationed at five sites on the highway. Each vehicle will cover about 13km to ensure speedy access to accident scenes in under 10 minutes.
Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the RTA, and Major-General Abdullah Khalifa Al Marri, Commander-in-Chief of the Dubai Police, inspected one of the unit's vehicles that has been fitted with advanced technologies such as interactive screens and communication devices, among others.

The unit will cater to vehicle breakdowns, rapid intervention at site and surrounding roads, and the handling of minor accidents that do not warrant the presence of the police.
It will also remove vehicles involved in traffic accidents and restore traffic movement back to normal, in addition to assessing damage inflicted to the infrastructure and file relevant reports. It will also carry out detours at site or surrounding roads, assist road users, lend assistance to the police at site, protect parked vehicles and provide traffic support during events.
Al Tayer said: "The Traffic Incidents Management scheme aims to ensure rapid clearance of vehicles involved in minor incidents or experiencing breakdown on roads besides alleviating snarls and streamlining traffic flow at site.
"The scheme will cut short the time taken to remove affected vehicles and fend off potential secondary accidents triggered by the sudden traffic build up. The Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road was selected (for the trial run of the scheme) as it is a high traffic density area, especially during peak hours, and has a high rate of minor traffic incidents and vehicles breakdown."
Major-General Al Marri said the police will investigate serious accidents, injuries, and traffic offences. "It will also provide judicial support to the unit, monitor traffic cameras and handle rescue operations, among others."
The RTA will provide technical support to the unit, and look after traffic diversions, traffic signals timings, virtual messaging signs, and tactical traffic signs. "It will also monitor the traffic movement as well as response plans, in addition to cameras at site and preparing the infrastructure for the trial site," explained Al Marri.
Comprehensive studies about the management of traffic accidents in Dubai show that about 250,000 vehicles experience breakdowns on roads each year, and about 200 minor traffic accidents occur in the Dubai annually. Studies also reveal that the Traffic Incidents Management scheme will reduce accidents clearance rate by 35 per cent, slash congestions and associated costs by 25 per cent and curb the potentials of secondary accidents.
reporters@khaleejtimes.com
 


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