Radars to catch violations by trucks in Sharjah

The purpose of the system, the first of its kind in the Middle East, is to catch trucks that drive on external and internal roads without obtaining prior permission and during banned times of the day.

A new radar system to deter trucks from using external and internal roads during banned hours without prior permission will be rolled out this year by Sharjah Police.

Captain Jamal Obaid Buaafra, Director of the Roads Control Section, said the project, the first of its kind in the Middle East, has been under preparation since 2013 and underwent phases of testing.

During the first phase, radars were deployed in 9 various locations on Mohammed bin Zayed road, Muleeha road and Al Dhaid-Al Madam Road. In the second phase, 7 additional radars were deployed on Sheikh Khalifa road, Emirates road, Industrial streets and on the Airport Road, bringing the total number to 16.

Capt Buaafra added that after the deployment of radars, traffic flow became smoother particularly on external roads and industrial streets, the number of accidents decreased and a 10 per cent drop in congestion was registered.

Trucks started abiding by the timing ban at a rate of 90 per cent in comparison with pre-radar periods, reported Al Ittihad, the Arabic language sister paper of The National.