RESIDENTS SPEAK OUT ON ISSUES THEY FACE ON UAE ROADS

PEDESTRIAN Noman Khan, Pakistani

Roads are wide and well-built but we also need to take a closer look at pedestrian safety issues around Dubai. We have to slow the traffic down in residential areas. One time I was almost hit by a speeding car. The driver was running at over 60kmph on a one-lane street. The car came to a screeching halt and, thankfully, nothing happened to me. Also, I hope there will be more pedestrian overpasses built over busy streets and those roads with four lanes on each direction.

PASSENGER OF COMPANY BUS Gerry Banguilan Filipino

Road safety is very important. However, some drivers are not following the rules, maybe because of the language barrier. I hope that some road safety campaigns can be done in the native language of the drivers. That will definitely have a stronger impact on the drivers. I use our company bus, and I can honestly say that our driver is sometimes reckless. Even if we tell him to drive safely, he can’t understand it because we speak different languages.

MOTORCYCLE DELIVERY Zeeshan Farooq, Pakistani

I’ve seen many of us (deliverymen) position our motorcycles past traffic lights just to get ahead of traffic. This is dangerous but we are always under time pressure. Both motorcycle riders and customers should understand that safety is more important than their deliveries. Also, I hope other motorists will be more considerate. It’s as simple as using their indicators and side and rear mirrors. I also hope that there will be more parking space for motorcycles.

CYCLIST Frankie Boton, UAE Mountain Biking Jumeirah Chairman

We have a member in our mountain biking team who got crashed by a car due to reckless driving. A car must always have a proper distance from a cyclist and motorists should properly use their indicators. We are all sharing the same road but cyclists are more at risk. I also hope that there will be more cycling tracks around the city particularly from Metro stations going to residential areas.

TAXI DRIVER Saidul Sheikh Fazhur Rahman, Bangladeshi

Taxi drivers and their employers should have regular and routine checks to ensure safety. As a taxi driver, it is my duty to make sure my passengers are safe — that they will be able to reach their destination safely and comfortably. Taxi drivers should not just ensure safety but also be courteous to their passengers — this includes helping them in and out of the vehicle and helping with luggage, if needed. Professional drivers like us should set an example to other road users.

PARENT Yuri Cipriano, Dubai resident

I have observed that many people are aware of the risks involved when they violate traffic rules but still they do that. Almost every day, I see motorists using their mobile phones while driving at at more than 100kmph. Worse, I see parents putting their kids with no seatbelts; babies are also carried on the lap and there is no child car seat for them. This is very dangerous. Parents must lead kids by example.

MOTORIST Amjad Nawaz, Pakistani

Drivers should always be mindful of the speed requirements on the road. I’ve seen many slow drivers driving in the fast lane, not giving way to the other drivers who would like to overtake. The fast lane is for those who can hit the upper limit of the allowed speed and slow drivers on the fast lane make it dangerous for everyone. They (slow drivers) should put their right indicators on, and give way to a faster car coming from the back.

DRIVING EXPERT Khalid Javed, training and technical consultant

Every road user must understand that safe driving is mainly depending on an advance observation, proper anticipation and appropriate planning according to situation. It is very important to encourage every road user to stay out of stress and not being distracted when sitting behind the wheel. Moreover, always be a role model by maintaining the speed limit, using the indicators, following the two-second rule and by showing courtesy towards other road uses.