The UAE government has an extensive list of rules and regulations to ensure maximum road safety for everyone. One set of such rules is regarding pedestrian safety in Dubai. A lot of such accidents can be avoided if both the pedestrians and the drivers practice caution. Therefore, the Dubai government has implemented laws and regulations for both parties.
Read this guide to learn about all the rules, signals and signs outlined by the authorities to ensure road safety for pedestrians in Dubai.
Rules for Pedestrians
Following are the rules pedestrians in Dubai should abide by to reduce the risks of road accidents:
1. Always use safe crossing areas
To avoid any unwanted road accident, pedestrians are required to cross the roads at the designated safe crossing areas such as underpasses, pedestrian bridges, zebra crossings and others. Just like a car should only move after the appropriate signal light, a pedestrian should also move forward at crossings when the pedestrian signal turns green.
Since motorists are required to slow down around such crossing points, the chances of a pedestrian accident are less around them.
2. Walk on sidewalks
Using sidewalks irrespective of the traffic flow is among the other rules for walking on the roads in Dubai. This practice is likely to alleviate the chances of unfortunate incidents significantly. In case there is no sidewalk, you should walk on the left side of the road.
3. Put your phone away
When you are walking on or near a road, keep your eyes open and be vigilant of the incoming traffic. This means not being on your phone at such times. Even if someone uses their headphones to attend a call, they can still be distracted, leading to an accident.
If you are listening to music, make sure the volume is not too high to drown the sound of the traffic or a speeding car.
4. Be careful around parking areas
Since a driver’s view can sometimes be obstructed, parking areas can be highly dangerous zones for pedestrians. Therefore, when in and around the parking spaces, be aware of the cars exiting and entering the driveways and backing up in the lots.
5. Take care of your child
Taking care of any accompanying child while walking on the road or nearby is the adult’s responsibility. As an adult, you are required to hold the children’s hands to keep them away from harm’s way.
Fines for Pedestrians
As per the rules regarding road safety, pedestrians jaywalking in the UAE are subject to a fine of AED 400.
Rules for motorists to ensure pedestrian safety
Motorists are required to follow these rules to ensure pedestrian safety on the roads of Dubai:
1. Stop at Zebra crossings
Motorists are required to give way to the pedestrians crossing the road at a zebra crossing. Zebra crossings in Dubai without a traffic signal especially require the driver’s attention to stop at them and follow the rules.
Moreover, smart devices running on solar energy are deployed at various crossing spots on both sides of the roads by the Dubai Police. These are smart sensors monitoring the pedestrians crossing the road and switching on a red indicator light to inform all the motorists that they must give way to them. Violations to this requirement are recorded and delivered automatically to the Dubai Police’s server leading to a fine against the motorist.
2. Slow down at traffic signals
Slowing down at the traffic signals is important for pedestrian safety since zebra crossings are often located after a traffic signal. Therefore, motorists should slow down, be ready to apply brakes when they enter a crosswalk to avoid any kind of accident due to recklessness near the traffic signal.
3. Never use your mobile while driving
No matter how tempting it is to sneak a peek at your mobile phone screen, you should never do that while driving to become a courteous driver. If you start doing this, it is likely to become a habit resulting in a lack of attention and dire consequences.
Even when you stop at a signal, keep your attention on the road and away from your mobile phone.
4. Slow down around child zones
Slowing down around a playground, school, and other child zone is mandatory for motorists. Moreover, drivers are instructed to lower their car speeds in neighbourhoods that are rife with walkways and parks. Since kids are usually quite energetic and may neglect their safety while playing near traffic, it is the driver’s responsibility to be more careful.
Fines for Motorists Regarding pedestrians
If you jump a signal, a Dubai traffic fine of AED 1000 along with 4 black points will be added.
Failure to give way to pedestrians on zebra crossing will result in a fine of AED 500 and 6 black points.
Also, the Dubai government charges a fine of AED 800 and 4 black points to anyone driving while using their phone.
Knowing traffic laws is the first step toward avoiding fines on the road and drive responsibly. If you are looking for a car to explore the roads of Dubai, check out these used cars for sale to buy a suitable one.
This concludes the guide to pedestrian safety in Dubai. Always drive with caution and take care of the pedestrian safety rules. Make sure you follow all the other traffic laws as well. Abide by the speed limits and avoid driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol. Furthermore, everyone, especially parents and teachers, should teach the children about road safety tips and their importance.
For more important information on traffic laws and regulations in Dubai, stay tuned to the UAE’s top auto blog.
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