46 people die after being run over in Dubai last year

DUBAI // Forty-six people were killed in run-over incidents in Dubai last year, an increase from 39 in 2014.

Dubai Police revealed the figures as it launched its annual three-month campaign to raise awareness of the dangers of crossing roads from undesignated areas.

“The Cross Safely Campaign remains one of the General Department of Traffic’s most important initiatives to reach Dubai Police’s target to make the roads safe and have zero fatalities by 2020,” said Col Jamal Al Bannai, deputy director of the department. “The campaign will target the general public but, in particular, labourers, who are most prone to such accidents.”

In 2013, 46 people were killed in run-over incidents.

Col Al Bannai said that Dubai Police issued 64,620 fines to people who were crossing from undesignated areas, an increase from 61,391 in 2014. In 2013, the authorities fined 55,206 people.

Dubai Police will be distributing brochures in six different languages and will be conducting lectures in universities and labour camps, said Col Al Bannai.

“In 2015, more than 26,500 people benefitted from 70 lectures; and, in 2014, almost 24,000 people benefitted from 61 lectures,” he said. “It is important that people always cross from designated areas, stand safely away from the street, look in both directions before crossing and avoid reading or using their mobile phones when walking.”

The fine for crossing a road from an undesignated area is Dh200.