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Dubai: Al Wasl residents have questioned whether action to make the road safer has been taken too late - six deaths have taken place at U-turns on the road since last year.
After the latest U-turn deaths on Al Wasl Road, the street's residents said that accidents were waiting to happen at the dangerous U-turns, and they expected them to continue unless immediate action is taken to make the roads safer.
Three people, including a two-year-old child were burned to death on Friday when their car collided with another at a U-turn on Al Wasl Road.
Two other Dubai residents also lost their lives in a similar accident last year at a U-turn on Al Wasl Road. Police said another person was also killed while making a U-turn.
UAE national Khalil Qabbani told Gulf News he had complained to the Roads and Transport Authority "more than ten times" about the dangers associated with the U-turn that was the scene of Friday's crash.
Death trap
"I kept complaining until someone died there. I knew it would happen. It was a death trap," he said.
"I have been in dangerous situations on that U-turn many times so I complained and received no response from them. The RTA keeps saying 'inshallah' to my complaints and says a committee will be formed to look into the matter, but never acts on it," he said.
"After calling the RTA I was often told that I would be called back, but that never happened either."
Lebanese Al Wasl resident Iqbal T. said she always felt nervous about making U-turns on her street.
"It's very dangerous to make a U-turn on Al Wasl. Cars pile up at U-turns during rush hour and motorists become impatient because they don't get a chance," she said.
Iqbal added that the solution was not to close U-turns but install traffic lights.
"Traffic lights have been put up on some U-turns and that has significantly improved the situation. It's safer and less crowded," she said.
Another resident said: "It does take a very long time to turn. I don't mind waiting at lights as I have a friend who's been in a coma for nine months because of a traffic accident in Dubai.
"The traffic lights at the moment don't run on a good system though. You shouldn't wait if the road is clear, but you should wait if the road is busy. The problem is there are no synchronised lights."
Peoplespeak: Signals are required
"There are too many crashes on Al Wasl Road. Definitely there should be signals and I don't mind waiting, I would rather it's safer. I do feel nervous when I have to do a U-turn on the road and I've also noticed palm trees blocking the view."
Keren, New Zealander, 44, sales manager
"I have got used to turning quickly on Al Wasl Road. It would be better if the U-turns were signalled, then there's no question of right of way. People do try and push out quickly at U-turns on the road."
Jackie Beard, English, 45, school volunteer
"In various parts Al Wasl Road is very dangerous, in the same way as other roads. I don't have a problem with signals being on U-turns: if it improves safety, then there's no problem."
Louise Beaver, English, 37, nurse.
- Alice Johnson, Staff Reporter
Long queues: Impatience blamed
A Dubai Police Traffic Department official said many people had lost their lives due to dangerous U-turns as well as impatience in some cases.
The official said in his opinion installing traffic signals would solve the problem.
He said it was natural for motorists to get impatient at U-turns which did not have signals, especially if the traffic flow is heavy and the motorist at the front feels guilty for causing a long queue behind him. Therefore, he acts irrationally and takes a chance.
A senior traffic police official earlier told Gulf News that making a U-turn takes at least 30 seconds.
- Alia Al Theeb, Staff Reporter
Have your say
Do you know of any traffic hazards in your area? What are the dangers they pose? Tell us at letter2editor@gulfnews.com or fill in the form below to send your comments.
Your comments
Most roads punish you without U turns for miles. We need more U turns and signals there. U turns are pressure relievers in traffic hotspots. Coming to Accidents, again Road planners not drivers are responsible in most cases.
Raj
Dubai,Dubai
Posted: May 14, 2008, 16:33
The U turns should all be closed on Al Wasl Road.
They are all within a few hundred meters of a signal junction where cars can turn safely.
It adds only minutes to a journey to drive on to the next junction.
David
Dubai,UAE
Posted: May 14, 2008, 15:58
The U turn After Karama GPO, next to the fire station is another possible location for a major accident. Most of the time drivers in the queue are obstructed by aggressive insane drivers who obstruct the view of approaching cars. Thank God Ambulances are just meter away from the spot.....
sunil
dubai,UAE
Posted: May 14, 2008, 15:50
Putting Speed Humps prior to U-Turn openings is more effective than traffic signal because there are reckless drivers out there who will speed to break the RED light which is more dangerous than before. Drivers needs to DRIVE DEFENSIVELY COZ there's no such thing like DANGEROUS U-TURNS but DANGEROUS DRIVERS instead.
Glenn
Fujairah,UAE
Posted: May 14, 2008, 12:04
There are other dangerous u-turns, like the one on the small stretch of road between the Jebel Ali International Airport roundabout to Sheikh Zayed Road. Heavy trucks are allowed to make u-turns here.
Nizar
Abudhabi,UAE
Posted: May 14, 2008, 09:59
Last year my colleague and I were returning from our lunch break and witnessed a serious accident at the same U-turn at which the fatal accident happened last Friday. We stopped to help a lady who had serious head injuries as a result of someone making a U-turn right into her path. The only way to solve this problem is to install more speed camera's onto the Al Wasl road to stop cars racing down the road and to install traffic lights at the U-turns to prevent people from turning into the path of a speeding car.
Inga
Dubai,UAE
Posted: May 14, 2008, 09:49
In a few months time, we will be able to read similar news about the U-Turn near international city(academic city exit road). Already we can see many crashed cars there, don't know when the authorities will take action.
Leena
Dubai,UAE
Posted: May 14, 2008, 09:36
More than traffic signals we also need driver awareness. I still believe UAE driving policies and requirements are too low to meet worldwide standards.
Mohamed
Melbourne,Australia
Posted: May 14, 2008, 05:47
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