A bird's eye view of Ras Al Khor Road in Dubai. ARCHIVE

Did you know it is illegal for pedestrians to cross Dubai’s major highways like Ras Al Khor Road, Sheikh Zayed Road and Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road? In 2017, an Arab tourist was apprehended by Dubai Police after he crossed Sheikh Zayed Road. He escaped unhurt but caused multiple car crashes as shocked motorists tried to avoid him. Major Fouad Hussain of Bur Dubai Police Station said the man crossed six lanes, climbed over the barrier and then crossed the other six lanes to reach the other side of the highway. In a recent announcement, Major General Saif Al Mazrouei reiterated that jaywalking is an offence that is punishable with a fine of Dh400. Al Mazrouei said that last year alone, 43,817 people were caught crossing roads from non-designated areas. Al Mazrouei pointed out that some pedestrians wrongly cross roads by climbing the concrete barriers or crossing through the openings of the mesh barrier despite the presence of pedestrian crossings and bridges close to them, while others sleep underneath parked trucks to take a nap, exposing their safety to danger. So how do you cross major highways and roads without endangering lives and getting fined? You need to cross the road using designated pedestrian footbridges, pedestrian tunnels or the nearest Dubai Metro Station bridge. On internal roads, you can find pedestrian crossings for this purpose. Al Mazrouei explained that the UAE law makes it illegal for pedestrians to cross highways or roads with speeds exceeding 80km per hour. On internal roads, pedestrians must only cross from designated pedestrian crossings. While jaywalkers face fines, motorists who do not give way to pedestrians at crossings will also be fined Dh500 and given six black points on their traffic file.ICA/Expat Media
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