Drivers call for traffic lights at Dubai crash hotspot

Motorists are calling for traffic lights to be installed at a busy U-turn on the Jebel Ali-Lehbab Road following a spate of accidents.

Debris from a recent car accident litters the side of the road at the U-turn going towards Jebel Ali industrial area in Dubai. Motorists are calling for traffic lights to be installed. Pawan Singh / TShow more

DUBAI // Sebastian Varghese says he usually sees at least one accident a week caused by speeding at a busy U-turn between Jebel Ali and Lehbab.

“Almost every week I see at least one or two accidents between 7.15 and 7.30am,” Mr Varghese said.

“After exiting Sheikh Zayed Road, many people drive at excessive speeds on this road and swerve across three lanes to make a U-turn.

“They lose control of their vehicle, hit the fence and end up in a sandy area.”

Mr Varghese, 43, is a draughtsman who uses the U-turn on the E77 to get to his office in Jebel Ali industrial area.

Despite traffic signs and police presence, motorists drive above the speed limit, putting themselves and others at risk, he said.

“I hope they can install a traffic light at the U-turn or speed humps on this road. Otherwise people will continue to drive fast while approaching this 180-degree turn.”

The 60kph limit is clearly displayed on a signboard, while signs on the road show one lane for the U-turn and two lanes for those travelling straight ahead.

Police patrols equipped with mobile radars are stationed in the area to catch speeders.

Mr Varghese’s colleague, Venugopal Krishnan Nair, 58, said those unfamiliar with the area would find the U-turn dangerous.

“Once you have completed the turn you have to be extra careful due to the high speeds of other vehicles on that road,” Mr Nair said.

“If you are going faster than is safe to make a U-turn, such high speed increases the risk of a collision.”

Mr Nair, a finance manager who has lived and worked in Dubai for 32 years, said a traffic light would make the stretch of road safer for motorists.

“People are likely to drive faster, up to 100kph, on this less busy road,” he said.

“If a traffic light is installed, it can control the right-of-way vehicles at an intersection and determine whether it is safe to proceed.”

U-turns can be either controlled by signals or stop signs. To make a U-turn, drivers must ensure they have a clear view of coming traffic, and only move forward when the traffic is clear, the Abu Dhabi Road User Code says.

“Normally people pick up speed as they approach the U-turn, then enter from the right-most lane and immediately take a right turn into Jebel Ali industrial area,” Mr Nair said.

Mr Varghese, who shared his views on the Road Safety UAE website this month, also suggested sending a team to check out this accident-prone location to better understand the situation and prevent further crashes.

Thomas Edelmann, founder of Road Safety UAE, is inviting the public to come up with proposals and share them on the online portal.

“Many of us use the very same roads every day and many road users have very good improvement proposals, based on their daily experiences,” Mr Edelmann said. “It is vital that road users take responsibility as we are in it together, and it is up to all of us to improve the situation.”

Motorists can notify the relevant authority, such as Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority, about hazards that present a risk to the safety of road users.

“If motorists have concerns about road safety, especially road layout issues, they should report the matter to the relevant road authority via the customer services department,” said Phil Clarke, a principal road safety consultant at the Transport Research Laboratory UAE.

“In doing so, professionals with access to relevant data can make informed decisions about any remedial issues which may be required,” Mr Phil Clarke said.

The RTA did not respond to a request for comment.