SHARJAH // A collision between two lorries on Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed road caused long tailbacks for morning commuters on Tuesday.
The congestion was so heavy that some school pupils on the road with their parents had get out of their cars and walk the remaining distance.
Shumeia Fawad, said their morning journey to GEMS Westminster in Muweileh was a nightmare. “I left home in Al Qasimiya area at 7am, the traffic accident on Mohammed bin Zayed left me stuck in traffic until 9:15 until I reached the school and dropped my daughter,” Mrs Fawad said.
Dubai Traffic Police sources said two lorries collided and one swerved off the road, closing four lanes on Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road. Minor injuries were reported.
The incident happened near National Paints in Sharjah heading towards Dubai and had a knock-on effect on surrounding roads resulting in severe congestion.
Palestinian Maher Fooad left his home at around 6:30am to drop his two children at Al Zuhoor private school. “I called my wife after 10am, informing her that I was late to work and dropping my 10 and 14 year old daughters at school.” said the father of three, who lives in Al Taawon area.
Yaqoub Shukaki, a driver who works for a family in Al Qaraen area, said his sponsor’s five children were late to school. “The accident near the National Paints had a ripple effect that effected my typical 15 minute drive to Muwaileh,” said the 26-year-old. “There were many pupils with their school bags on their backs crossing the roads to reach their schools instead of waiting in their parents cars in the traffic jam.”
Sharjah Police said Tuesday’s accident happened at peak time, which effected several roads in Sharjah and Dubai.
Traffic on some the emirates’ roads was at a standstill, police said.
Traffic patrols in Sharjah were deployed on the affected roads and worked to reroute motorists to elevate the congestion.
Sharjah police said warnings and alternative routes were provided to motorists through police media platforms.
tzriqat@thenational.ae
