Uniform limit planned on part of Emirates Road

A uniform speed limit of 120kph will soon be introduced on the stretch of Emirates Road between Sharjah and Ras al Khaimah, a senior government official said yesterday. "Currently the maximum speed on this road varies from emirate to emirate," Col Gheath al Zaabi, traffic department director at the Ministry of Interior, said on the opening day of the 25th Gulf Traffic Week. In parts of Ajman, for example, the limit is 140kph.

The new limit will come into effect once road signs and radars have been set up. One theme of Gulf Traffic Week is "Don't Call Till You Arrive", highlighting the danger of using mobile phones while driving. Major Gen Obaid al Ketbi, deputy general commander of Abu Dhabi Police, said stopping the practice was a challenge, but police were doing their best to make the public conscious of its danger.

"We are focusing on awareness. Using the media is number one in my agenda." At a ceremony to mark the start of Gulf Traffic Week, the Ideal Driver award was given to Ahmed al Rashdi, 65, an Emirati who has been driving since 1967 and who has a clean record. Mr al Rashdi worked as a driver on Das Island where he operated heavy as well as light vehicles. [e-mail]