Tuesday 16 March 2010
urges the public to use pedestrian tunnels
Lt. Colonel (Dr.) Salah Al Ghoul, Director of Law Respect Culture Bureau at the Secretariat General of the Office of HH the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior urged nationals and residents to cooperate with police personnel. They can secure traffic safety by crossing roads through tunnels assigned to pedestrians. He also urges drivers to take utmost care when approaching zebra crossings.
Jaywalking and non use of designated spots for pedestrian crossing are the most outstanding causes of knock-down accidents. He urges pedestrians to use tunnels and bridges, cross roads without delay, at shortest straight line and should not walk inside tunnels and flyovers dedicated to vehicles.
Unsafe crossing of roads by pedestrians indicates that there is a problem with traffic culture. There is no problem with the infrastructure in all parts of the country which contributes to safety on roads.
He advises families and educational institutions to educate children and students on correct methods of road crossing and not to play near streets to avoid being hit by vehicles. They should use under passes which are built to world-class specifications and provided with lighting and ventilation. They should monitor their children and not leaving them unattended to.
He urges motorists to pay attention to pedestrians all the time and should not park their vehicles on spots assigned for pedestrians crossing. They should not overtake other vehicles near zebra crossings and always give priority to pedestrians. Any motorist who does not comply with this he has to pay Dh500 in fine, in addition to six black points added to the offender record.
All people are equal by law. The motorist will pay fines and will be punished if he commits an offence that endangers his life and other road users' lives. Also pedestrians who do not abide by traffic rules and regulations will pay Dh 200 in fine if they cross the road in a wrong way. Any person when hesitates to cross the road may confuse motorists and causes a number of accidents. This offence has been included in the law by a Ministerial Decision number (721) for 2008. in respect of traffic control rules and procedures.
He confirms the aim of registering offence against pedestrians is not the financial gain but to spread traffic and security awareness among community members.
Concentration on building traffic awareness and instilling self-monitor among community members, and abiding by traffic rules and regulations is essential for their and others safety. He urges all community segments to contribute to curbing traffic accidents that affect social stability.