Residents demand footbridge on Ajman’s Al Ittihad Road

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Al Ittihad Road has become known for the frequent road deaths that happen as there are no pedestrian crossings.

By Afkar Abdullah And Alaa Ali Mohammed

Published: Mon 29 Dec 2014, 1:11 AM

Last updated: Tue 29 Aug 2023, 4:12 PM

Ajman — The recurrent run-over accidents that happen on Al Ittihad Road in Ajman and claim lives of people need immediate attention and prompt and feasible action.

The emirate is currently experiencing an urban boom with high-rise buildings and infrastructure works going on. Roads are getting renovated and expanded, but the problem of pedestrians still continue. They have no other choice than to risk their lives and cross roads illegally.

Al Ittihad Road has become known for the frequent road deaths that happen as there are no pedestrian crossings. The road has industrial area on one side and Al Nuamiya area on the other. This vicinity is epochal for low cost shopping. There are several department stores and shopping centres on either side of the road that offer goods at discounted prices.

Moving between either sides of such a pivotal road is extremely risky since traffic does not stop. The road even lacks a zebra crossing with a traffic light for pedestrians. The last fatal accident occurred on November 14, when three people crossing the road were knocked down by a car travelling on its right lane.

One of the three so-called jaywalkers was killed outright, while the other two sustained injuries.

A bridge for pedestrians is the only way out to solve this problem.

Shoaib Kajoor, Director of Ajman Traffic Department, described jaywalking as a serious issue as the number of run-over accidents increased by four per cent during the first seven months of the year with 54 accidents as opposed to the 50 reported in 2013. The department has launched several awareness campaigns to educate people on the importance of using designated areas for crossing. It also organised several inspection campaigns targeting pedestrians who cross roads from non-designated areas.

People caught doing so could be fined Dh200, as per the traffic law. Most of the reported accidents happened when pedestrians jumped over the road median and crossed to the other side.

It has been noticed that a large number of pedestrians, particularly labourers who come from countries with different rules and regulations, randomly cross roads without taking into account the risk of losing their lives,” he said. “They usually underestimate the distance between them and the vehicles moving on the road, thinking they can safely get to the other side. We have found out many pedestrians crossing the road without ensuring they are empty.”

People who are run over usually die on the spot or end up with permanent disabilities. Noting that setting up of more pedestrian crossings, including overhead bridges, on various roads in Ajman has helped bring down the number of run-over accidents, he said once more pedestrian bridges are constructed on this road and in industrial areas, the number of accidents would reduce sharply.

He added that the department in coordination with the Ajman Municipality has formed a committee which continuously discusses this kind of issues and addresses them. Police patrols have been deployed on all roads particularly Al Ittihad road to organise traffic and prevent accidents. Cameras and radars have also been installed, but there is no respite to speeding and accidents caused.

Yahya Al Reyaysa, Director-General of the Ajman Municipality, said the municipality is aware of run-over accidents happening on Al Ittihad road and on some roads in the industrial area.

The municipality has already completed construction of seven pedestrian bridges in areas which witness heavy traffic and pedestrian movements in Ajman. More than Dh15 million has been spent on construction of these pedestrian bridges and work is continuing to include Al Ittihad road and industrial areas. “We have constructed a pedestrian bridge on Shaikh Khalifa Road, which now has three bridges to ensure the safety of pedestrians.

“Priority is being given to set up more pedestrian crossings on Shaikh Khalifa Road, which is one of the main roads witnessing heavy vehicle movement. We will also set up more pedestrian crossings, including overhead bridges, in other areas that witness run-over accidents,” he disclosed.

alaaali@khaleejtimes.com

afkarali@khaleejtimes.com