Abu Dhabi Police share video of reckless jaywalker to highlight road safety campaign

The man is seen taking a short cut by sprinting across a four-lane road

Abu Dhabi Police shared a video highlighting the dangers of jaywalking.  Courtesy: Abu Dhabi Police

Police in Abu Dhabi sent out a warning about the dangers of jaywalking after releasing footage of a reckless pedestrian taking a hazardous short cut across a busy thoroughfare.

The force shared the video on its social media accounts as part of an initiative aimed at engaging the public on the importance of road safety.

According to UAE traffic law, pedestrians who flout traffic signals and cross the road at undesignated zones face fines of Dh400.

The recording was released under the traffic safety campaign ‘Your Comment’ to remind motorists and pedestrians to obey traffic laws.

The social media safety strategy is being rolled out by Abu Dhabi Police in partnership with Abu Dhabi Monitoring and Control Centre.

The harsh consequences of illegally crossing roads were demonstrated last week when a jaywalker was hit by a bus in Dubai.

Preliminary investigations showed the man was hit about 40 metres from a designated pedestrian crossing.

Witnesses told investigators the victim appeared to have been under the influence of alcohol.

“He was on the pavement walking unsteadily before he suddenly fell on the street and was hit by the bus,” a witness told police.

The man could not be identified because he had no ID cards on him. He was taken to Rashid Hospital with severe injuries.