A crossing that could cost you your life

Pedestrians can never be sure if a driver will even stop.

It can be extremely dangerous for pedestrians to cross at zebra crossings because they can never be sure if motorists will actually stop or just ignore them. Delores Johnson / The National

DUBAI // Cars and buses zipped past as residents and tourists waited at pedestrian crossings in the busy Bastakiya area.

Some stood on the zebra crossing or stepped out into the road to force the cars to halt.

“It is a safety issue because there are so many kids crossing the road here,” said Monisha Jaisanghi, a mother who was picking up her daughter from a bus stop on Al Fahidi street.

“The cars also go very fast, so it’s dangerous to cross unless you are sure the car will stop. When you see people dodging cars to go across it’s scary because the cars and buses don’t slow down,” she said.

Four roads led out from what was popularly called the Shoppers’ Roundabout, with the groups of pedestrians darting across at Al Musallah and Al Fahidi roads despite heavy traffic.

“The traffic didn’t stop for me, the cars only stopped because there was traffic inside the roundabout,” said Adi Akbar, a Grade 8 student who ran across the street.

“Even if there is a big group of people waiting, the cars rarely stop. I usually wait for a big group to gather before crossing the road since the cars are forced to stop then.”

About 20 pedestrians and five cyclists were killed in traffic related accidents in the emirate in the first seven months of this year, according to Dubai Police figures – a rise from 19 deaths in the same period last year.

There were 194 traffic accidents in which 199 people were injured. Twenty-five people were seriously hurt, 79 sustained moderate injuries and 95 minor in the period between January and July.

The Roads and Transport Authority has built more than 100 footbridges throughout the emirate – several where accidents repeatedly occurred.

But most neighbourhoods witnessed similar scenes as the one at Bastakiya with pedestrians surprised when motorists stop.

In some cases the pedestrian crossings at the roundabout made it difficult for motorists to stop due to heavy traffic.

“They need to understand basic road rules, that you must give way to pedestrians – that is what the crossings are for,” said Lucas Meyer, a German tourist.

“Drivers are also worried that if they stop suddenly while exiting the roundabout then they may get hit by traffic from behind.

“But still, you must respect pedestrians, people must at least be sure they can cross a road safely.”