UAE authorities have repeatedly urged pedestrians to cross at designated areas, introduced strict penalties for jaywalking, and tightened road safety laws. Yet, some individuals can be seen running across roads to get to the other side quicker.
Sharjah police released a video of an accident where a man is seen running across the pedestrian crossing as a car approaches, resulting in a collision and the loss of a life.
Although the man is crossing at a designated area, it appears he is crossing while the signal is green for vehicles. Authorities reminded the public that “almost every report [of an accident] starts with the same cause — unsafe crossing.”
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Crossing recklessly to save a few seconds or minutes endangers the pedestrian’s life and others on the road. When accidents occur, they affect not just the victim but their loved ones, authorities reminded. Watch a video shared by Sharjah Police here:
Fines for jaywalking
A new traffic law that came into effect on March 29 introduced hefty fines and even jail time for jaywalking across the UAE, which refers to crossing from unauthorized areas.
Before March, the penalty for jaywalking was Dh400. However, under the new law, jaywalkers could face imprisonment and a fine of Dh5,000 to Dh10,000 if the offense results in a traffic accident.
In addition, those who cross from undesignated areas on roads with a speed limit of 80kmph or more will face higher penalties. For such a violation, fines start at Dh10,000, and the individual will be punished with imprisonment for not less than three months, or by one of these two penalties.
