Police warn against parking on hard shoulder following death of worshippers in Dubai

Brig Saif Al Mazrouei, general department of traffic at Dubai Police, said patrols often catch pedestrians praying on the side of the road near Business Bay bridge

Workers stop to pray on Sheikh Zayed Road. On Saturday a driver's car tyre blew out causing him to swerve and hit a eight people praying on the side of Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road. Jeff Topping / TShow more

Jaywalkers and motorists who park on the hard shoulder of a road face heftier fines as police step up measures after a traffic accident on Saturday killed two people.

Dubai Police patrols often catch pedestrians stopping on hard shoulders to perform prayers just before the Business Bay Bridge, said Brig Saif Al Mazrouei, general department of traffic at Dubai Police.

“Such practices endanger people’s lives,” he said.

Brig Al Mazrouei said police have contacted companies and asked them to provide their staff with alternatives areas where they can pray, away from busy roads.

The warning comes after two people were killed and six others injured when a driver lost control and hit a group of people offering Al Maghreb prayer outside a mosque on Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road near Sharjah.

Read more: Two dead after car ploughs into group praying outside Dubai mosque

The driver, of Asian origin, was speeding in a four-wheel drive when his tyre blew out, causing him to swerve and plough into eight people praying onto the side of the road, a Dubai Police official said.

“15 minutes prior to the accident, three buses stopped on the same side of the road, where the accident took place, and 150 workers got off the buses,” said Brig Al Mazrouei.

A fine of Dh500 will be issued to drivers who stop on the hard shoulder, he said.

“Companies will be held responsible for the lives of their workers and they must alert their bus drivers,” said Brig Al Mazrouei.