South Asians top list of pedestrian fatalities

Three quarters of pedestrians killed in road accidents in Dubai are Indian, Pakistani and Bangladeshi.

The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) unveiled new figures on Monday citing almost 74 per cent of all pedestrian fatalities during the last three years were nationals from those three countries, in the past three years.

Maitha bin Udai, CEO of RTA Traffic and Roads Agency, said: “The ignorance of traffic rules and safe crossing precautions in highways on the part of some Asian nationals is responsible for the high traffic casualties reported among this category.”

She noted that the agency was making active efforts to address the issue with education sessions and technical measures particularly amongst workers.

The RTA is working on the construction of 13 pedestrian bridges in different parts of Dubai, including two bridges on Emirates Road, the first near the workers accommodation at Muhaisnah, and the other near Fruits & Vegetables Market at Al Aweer.

The agency has carried out a wide-ranging survey covering several roads and districts in the emirate through which it identified the spots witnessing recurrent run-over accidents.

Accordingly, the agency instituted remedies tailored to each location including the provision of footbridges, subways, surface crossings, speed control measures and pedestrian fencing to fend off jaywalking in dangerous spots.

“The Traffic and Roads Agency is working in accordance with a specific set of standards for designing and constructing pedestrian crossings in Dubai streets including the compiling of traffic studies addressing population density in the neighbourhood, road speed, and services provided at both sides of the road. The findings and solutions recommended by such studies are thus translated into technical and traffic projects that may involve the construction of pedestrian bridges, designating pedestrian crossing points or setting up light signals,” explained Maitha.

Zahid Parvaz, a Pakistani resident, said, “Pedestrian bridges and signals are a first step to reducing road fatalities. Reckless motorists who speed in residential areas also increase the risk of pedestrian deaths.”

Works are also underway to build footbridges at Al Mina, Shaikh Rashid, Al Wuhaida, Amman, Latifa bint Hamdan, Abu Baker Al Siddique and Al Khaleej Roads.

muaz@khaleejtimes.com