Road users call for tighter regulations
UAE residents are urging drivers to follow road rules to ensure transportation is “safe for all”, while some people have said they are now “scared” to drive in the country after reading about the high accident rate over holidays.
The bus crash in Dubai that killed 17 people shook the nation and also made international headlines. It was one of the most horrific accidents to take place in the UAE. Just two days before this accident, the tragic news of the death of a nanny and three children in Abu Dhabi on the first day of Eid holidays also shocked people.
Now, residents are insisting that even tighter laws and regulations be introduced and are urging other drivers to be more cautious.
Sonal Chhibber, an expat who drives in Dubai, said: “It was a horrific news and an unfortunate incident (the bus crash) that took place over Eid time. I felt so sorry for the victims and their families. A joyous time of Eid turned into tragedy for many. As a driver, I feel very scared now to drive on Dubai roads, considering that there is no road safety if such incidents and negligence by drivers continue to happen. It’s quite a scary phenomenon. An improved traffic system and public safety is the need of the hour as people’s trust and wellbeing are vital for any city or society to function well.
“It’s sad but true that unfortunate accidents increase during holidays, and I feel this is because people are on a high and become ignorant of traffic rules and other people’s safety. I have seen many people standing and dancing from open outlet in cars with loud music, driving carelessly and posing danger to others. It’s totally unacceptable and stricter laws are needed to curb such incidents of rash and reckless driving on priority basis.”
Another motorist, Faraz Izhar, said that drivers “need to realise” that roads are a shared public property and they “need to maintain decorum and follow rules”. He believes it all comes down to the attitudes of drivers and they need to follow the rules in order to make the UAE roads safer.
“Rules have been framed to protect lives and to keep the roads safer but some people feel offended that they are made to follow rules. They get thrills out of speeding, lane swerving and tailgating. This attitude needs to go. Not to forget that drivers who drive at the speed of 60kmph in a lane of 120kmph pose just as big a road hazard as the ones who speed,” Izhar said.
“There seems to be a definitive need for more aggressive patrolling. Also, the discounts on traffic fines need to stop. In fact, the fines should be made heftier. Unmarked police cars and instant on-the-spot checks/ fines given by them to the violators shall help to a very large extent. Most of the violations are committed by these careless drivers when there is no patrolling vehicle visible to them on the road.”