Experts seek reduced speed limits, better enforcement near schools

Clearly marked signs warning motorists they are entering a school zone would help keep children safe.

Glenn Havinoviski, an Abu Dhabi-based traffic expert, says a greater police presence is needed around schools to improve the safety of children. Christopher Pike / The National

ABU DHABI // Parents and safety experts are calling for a reduced speed limit and better enforcement in school zones to keep children safe.

“Although 30kph is a customary speed limit in school zones internationally, and in the UAE, that is normally on main routes,” said Glenn Havinoviski, associate vice president for transportation systems with Iteris, Inc (UAE). “I believe 25kph is appropriate on narrower streets where there are multiple crosswalks and in cases where there are limited sidewalks.”

P K Nair, 42, whose daughters, ages eight and 10, attend Abu Dhabi Indian School, said it made sense to reduce the school zone speed limit.

“I recall witnessing some accidents in the area so I think the speed limit should be between 20kph and 30kph,” said the mechanical engineer.

The bigger issue, Mr Havinoviski said, was that there may not be enough enforcement of the school zone limits, whether by cameras or by police on site.

It is not clear that drivers are following the current 30kph limit in school zones.

“If there is lots of traffic, parked cars and a narrow passage through an area, that psychologically will affect a driver,” he said.

“If, on the other hand, the school zone is in force but the driver sees no traffic and no pedestrians, the driver will often go faster since he sees the road is wide open.”

Thomas Edelmann, Road Safety UAE founder, agreed. He noted if speed limits were not controlled by radar or by a police presence, UAE motorists often did not stick to them.

“Enforcement of existing speed limits must be the number one priority, and in specific cases it does make sense to revise them.”

Abu Dhabi Police’s Traffic and Patrols Directorate was not available for comment on the matter.

Thomas George, 46, said he was more concerned about the lack of speed bumps near Abu Dhabi Indian School.

“We see motorists driving as fast as 100kph at times,” said the electrical engineer while picking up his five-year-old daughter.

“There are 5,000 students in this school and, as parents, we are deeply concerned about our children’s safety.”

The municipality said last month that elevated pedestrian crossings and speed humps, as well as red surface-marking on roads, would be installed as part of a schools traffic safety project. Other measures ­included improved pick-up and drop-off points for school buses and signage indicating school zones and student crossings at entrances to a school area. Rashida Hamid, 43, said she decided to drop off and pick up her four-year-old after accidents occurred involving children left behind in school buses.

In October, an Indian pupil at another school died of suffocation after she was locked in a school bus.

“The school is doing a good job in terms of keeping our children safe,” Ms Hamid said. “Female bus attendants to supervise the schoolchildren are needed, as well as more traffic enforcement around schools.”

Mr Havinoviski said more signage was required to alert drivers that they were entering a residential neighbourhood or school zone.

“Speed limits of 30kph should be posted when you enter the neighbourhood, and within the marked local neighbourhood. Traffic-calming tools, such as a speed hump or mini roundabouts at local intersections, can be implemented,” he said. “Such signing and regulations should be made part of the driver education process once implemented.”