New speed humps in RAK to curb run-over accidents

With a reported rise in run-over accidents on the roads of Ras Al Khaimah, new speed humps are planned at hotspots to curb speeding drivers.
According to a senior police officer, exceeding speed limit is the main reason for most of the run-over accidents recently reported here.
Col Ahmed Saeed Al Sam Al Naqbi, Head of Traffic Engineering at the Traffic and Patrols Department, RAK Police, said the new speed humps are to be built on the Corniche Al Qawasim Road and the Shaikh Mohammed bin Salem Road downtown.
"The move followed a meeting with the Department of Public Works and Services and the RAK Municipality to handle the hotspot roads in the emirate which have seen a number of run-over accidents recently."
The department has already built a new speed hump opposite the Safeer Market, he added. "A foreign tourist was run over by a speeding motorist on the same spot last month." The 69-year-old European woman succumbed to the injuries she received after a speeding car ran over her on the Qawasim Corniche Road, he explained.
"The Czech victim, identified only as G.A.R., was crossing the road when a car, driven by a 33-year-old Emirati woman, ran over her."
The department has also built another speed hump on the Shaikh Mohammed Bin Salem Road opposite the Harameen Bookshop, Col Al Naqbi disclosed. "More humps will be built on the two arterial roads soon."
The road committee meets four times a month to discuss the reasons reported behind all the accidents reported to put the right plans and solutions to prevent similar accidents. The 'Humps Panel' has noticed that some reckless drivers were racing and driving fast on the Corniche Al Qawasim Road, Col Al Naqbi stated.
"Failing to abide by the set speed and not giving priority to pedestrians are blamed for most run-over mishaps."
"Pedestrians should always be given priority on the road, mainly on the zebra crossing areas."
Many run-over accidents and traffic casualties have been recently reported, according to official records. "A fine of Dh500 and six black points shall be slapped against any driver giving no priority to pedestrians, as per article 43 of the federal traffic law."
ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com
 

• Ras Al Khaimah