Fine for Dubai jaywalkers could be higher than for speeding

Published Sunday, September 02, 2012

By Mohammad El Sadafy

There is good news and reason for pedestrians in Dubai to be cautious.

The Dubai Traffic Police are closely studying the impact of jaywalkers in Dubai and what measures need to be taken to ensure a zero mortality rate for pedestrians in the emirate.

Major General Mohammed Saif Al Zafeen, Director of the General Directorate of Traffic in Dubai said some media reports claiming that pedestrians caught jaywalking thrice in a year will be prosecuted are not true.

However, he did add that the police are considering increasing the fines for those not using zebra crossings, overbridges and specific areas designated for pedestrians in Dubai.

The current fine for jaywalking is Dh200 and while Major General Zafeen did not specify by what percentage the fine would go up, he did say it would be “high”.

“In the absence of bridges or traffic lights for pedestrian crossing, the traffic police do not fine pedestrians. But people need to know that crossing a road in these areas can endanger their lives,” Major General Zafeen said.

“The Dubai Traffic Department is currently preparing a study aimed to reducing the number of deaths resulting from pedestrians being run-over as part of the Dubai Traffic Management Strategy for 2020 which aims to bring the mortality rate of traffic accidents in Dubai to zero per 100,000 inhabitants,” Major General Zafeen said.

The study will look at increasing the fine on pedestrians not crossing the roads at designated areas.

The study will also identify places where pedestrian accidents are high and places in need of tunnels or overbridges for pedestrian crossings.

The Roads and Transport Authority in Dubai has announced the construction of 13 overbridges for pedestrians in various locations at an estimated cost of Dh45 million.