Pedestrian deaths in Abu Dhabi fall 20%

ABU DHABI // Fewer pedestrians are dying on the capital's roads.

The number fell to 33 in the first half of this year from 41 in the same period last year.

There was a similar drop between 2010 and 2011, with 81 deaths last year versus 101 the year before.

Traffic-related deaths in general fell even more sharply, from 130 in the first four months of last year to 71 this year, a drop of 45 per cent.

Lt Col Jamal Al Ameri, head of public relations at the Traffic Patrols Directorate, advised continued vigilance by drivers and pedestrians. He urged drivers to slow down at pedestrian crossings and to observe pedestrians' right of way, warned people not to get in or out of vehicles in the middle of the road and advised pedestrians to use underpasses and footbridges. Traffic patrols are being intensified to discourage jaywalking.

Abu Dhabi is building nine new footbridges at a cost of Dh35.2 million.

Seven have opened - on Airport Road near Mushrif Mall and outside Carrefour, on Muroor Road at the main bus station, on Mussaffah Road at the Workers' Village and near Dalma Mall, and on the Abu Dhabi-Al Ain Road at Baniyas and opposite Abu Dhabi University. Two more should be ready this month, on the Abu Dhabi-Dubai motorway at Bahia and Shahama.