Sharjah fines 12,871 jaywalkers in 5 months
SHARJAH POLICE WARN JAYWALKERS TO KEEP OFF HIGHWAYS
Sharjah Police fined more than 12,800 jaywalkers since the start of the year until last month.
After running road and pedestrian safety campaigns, police stepped up efforts to catch and fine people who cross roads at undesignated areas.
Lieutenant Suad Al Sheiba, spokesperson for the traffic and patrol department of Sharjah Police, told Gulf News that Sharjah Police issued fines to 12,871 people caught jaywalking since the beginning of 2018 till May.
He said jaywalking is an offence that invites a Dh400 fine and is punishable under the UAE Traffic Law.
“It’s important that all road users understand the risks of violating safety rules, whether crossing or walking on the road, and learn how to stay safe. Pedestrians are advised to cross roads from the zebra crossings only or from the pedestrian bridges, otherwise they will face fines,” added Lt Al Sheiba.
Over 12,800 jaywalkers were fined till May this year in Sharjah, police said. The number is higher than that in the same period last year as Sharjah Police have intensified efforts to increase road and pedestrian safety and have been strictly issuing fines to jaywalkers.
Lieutenant Saud Al Shaiba, spokesperson for the Traffic and Patrol Department, told Gulf News that Sharjah Police issued fines to 12,871 people who were caught jaywalking till May.
However, only five people have been fined since Ramadan began on May 17.
Sharjah Police have identified jaywalking as a serious issue and launched an inspection campaign targeting pedestrians who cross roads from non-designated areas.
Police started issuing fines after the end of several campaigns rolled out under the theme ‘Pedestrian safety is our responsibility’.
Lt Al Shaiba said jaywalking is an offence; violators get a Dh400 fine and it is punishable under the UAE Traffic Law.
“It’s important that all road users understand the risks of violating safety rules, whether crossing or walking on the road, and learn how to stay safe,” he added, pointing out that pedestrians are the most vulnerable ones on the road.
“Pedestrians are advised to cross roads from the zebra crossing only or use pedestrian bridges, otherwise they will face fines.”
The number of run-over accidents declined by 14 per cent to 156 in 2017 from 183 in 2016, according to Sharjah Police statistics. Fatalities in traffic accidents also dropped by 20 per cent to 105 deaths in 2017 from 132 in 2016.
Overall, traffic accidents declined by 15 per cent in 2017 from the previous year.
Lt Al Shaiba said the decline was a result of the efforts of various traffic departments and their stakeholders.
Sharjah Police have stepped up patrolling on the roads and have issued fines to jaywalkers.
Pedestrians are repeatedly advised not to cross highways with speed limits of more than 80km/h because they could be held liable for any accidents resulting from their behaviour, said Lt Al Shaiba.
The Federal Penal Code allows traffic prosecutors to hold the jaywalkers who cause accidents resulting in injuries or property damage liable and refer them to court.