Jaywalkers to face full force of law

April 5, 2012

road


Dubai, April 5: Dubai's top traffic official has warned pedestrians against crossing roads with a speed of 80 km/h plus from undesignated spots because that is a crime punishable by the UAE Traffic Law.


Pedestrians are often advised not to cross highways with speeds of more than 80 km/h because they could be held liable for any accidents resulting from their irrational behaviour, said Senior Chief Traffic Prosecutor Salah Bu Farousha, Head of Dubai Traffic Public Prosecution (TPP).


According to the Traffic Law's article 7, it is a crime for a pedestrian to cross a road the speed of which is more than 80 km/h. The punishment is a Dh200 fine.


Meanwhile, the Federal Penal Code allows traffic prosecutors to hold pedestrians, who cross roads with a speed of 80 km/h plus and cause accidents resulting in injuries or property damages, liable and refer them to court. "Those suspects could be prosecuted for being responsible for injuring someone or causing damages to properties," Bu Farousha told Gulf News yesterday.


TPP's head stressed they will prosecute pedestrians if their offence was more serious than that of a driver involved in an accident that resulted in damages or injuries.


"If investigations revealed that the pedestrian's offence was more serious than that of a driver, who was involved in an accident, then we will act as per the Penal Code. We will also ask the court to implement the Traffic Law's article 57, according to which a suspect could face a month in jail and/or face a fine between Dh200 and Dh500," said Bu Farousha.


His comments came in light of the death of three persons in separate accidents in less than 11 hours between Tuesday afternoon and evening.


A 23-year-old Pakistani driver died after he lost control of his vehicle and suddenly veered off from the extreme right lane to the left one.


The Pakistani died on the spot and his car jumped over the barrier and hit another vehicle on the opposite side.


"A 30-year-old Pakistani driver's vehicle knocked down a pedestrian and killed him on Al Ittihad Road in the Dubai-Sharjah direction at 5.10pm. The third accident happened at 9.45pm in an inner road in Al Barhsa," Bu Farousha said.


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