ABU DHABI // Improving safety at accident blackspots has been given a high priority, Dubai’s Road and Transport Authority says.
The transport regulator was responding to concerns over accidents at a U-turn on the Jebel Ali-Lehbab Road.
“The RTA is aware of the locations where repeated accidents have occurred, based on crash data collected by traffic police,” a spokesman said. “Locations on the road network with a higher-than-expected number of accidents are identified and treated on a priority basis.”
The RTA said that in most cases, accidents were caused by drivers who failed to stick to traffic rules and speed limits.
Motorists have called for traffic lights to be installed at the busy U-turn after accidents where vehicles skidded off the Jebel Ali-Lehbab Road, hitting the barrier and ending up in a sandy area.
“This place is becoming an accident blackspot,” said Sebastian Varghese, a draughtsman who uses the E77 U-turn to get to his office in the industrial area. “Traffic accidents will continue to occur if no action is taken.”
Authorities have fixed the broken barrier in the area, he said.
Aneesh Mon, 34, a company driver who uses the U-turn three to four times a day, said he hoped authorities would install speed cameras there.
Last month, a car travelling at high speed crashed into the barrier, Mr Mon said.
A worrying trend at the U-turn is drivers exceeding the 60 kilometres per hour speed limit, said Rajesh Nair, 36, who works in the area. “Drivers may not be familiar with the road conditions and design,” said the accountant. “Many tend to ignore the speed limit sign and drive up to 100kph.”
Imtiyaz Khan, a traffic engineer who shared his views on the RoadSafetyUAE website, said authorities could improve the curve by providing an adequate turning radius.
He suggested rumble strips be placed a few metres before the junction to help calm the speed of a vehicle preparing to turn.
“A few cautionary and mandatory traffic boards could help minimise accident rates at this location,” Mr Khan said.
rruiz@thenational.ae
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Dubai works towards better air quality by 2021
Dubai is on a mission to record good air quality for 90 per cent of the year – up from 86 per cent annually today – by 2021.
The municipality plans to have seven mobile air-monitoring stations by 2020 to capture more accurate data in hourly and daily trends of pollution.
These will be on the Palm Jumeirah, Al Qusais, Muhaisnah, Rashidiyah, Al Wasl, Al Quoz and Dubai Investment Park.
“It will allow real-time responding for emergency cases,” said Khaldoon Al Daraji, first environment safety officer at the municipality.
“We’re in a good position except for the cases that are out of our hands, such as sandstorms.
“Sandstorms are our main concern because the UAE is just a receiver.
“The hotspots are Iran, Saudi Arabia and southern Iraq, but we’re working hard with the region to reduce the cycle of sandstorm generation.”
Mr Al Daraji said monitoring as it stood covered 47 per cent of Dubai.
There are 12 fixed stations in the emirate, but Dubai also receives information from monitors belonging to other entities.
“There are 25 stations in total,” Mr Al Daraji said.
“We added new technology and equipment used for the first time for the detection of heavy metals.
“A hundred parameters can be detected but we want to expand it to make sure that the data captured can allow a baseline study in some areas to ensure they are well positioned.”
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Marwan Lutfi says the core fundamentals that drive better payment behaviour and can improve your credit score are:
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Uefa Champions League quarter-final second leg:
Juventus 1 Ajax 2
Ajax advance 3-2 on aggregate
The squad traveling to Brazil:
Faisal Al Ketbi, Ibrahim Al Hosani, Khalfan Humaid Balhol, Khalifa Saeed Al Suwaidi, Mubarak Basharhil, Obaid Salem Al Nuaimi, Saeed Juma Al Mazrouei, Saoud Abdulla Al Hammadi, Taleb Al Kirbi, Yahia Mansour Al Hammadi, Zayed Al Kaabi, Zayed Saif Al Mansoori, Saaid Haj Hamdou, Hamad Saeed Al Nuaimi. Coaches Roberto Lima and Alex Paz.
