Speed limits for highways under review
110KM/H CAP PROPOSED FOR MOHAMMAD BIN ZAYED ROAD AND EMIRATES ROAD
T he Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and Dubai Police are considering a proposal to reduce the speed limit on Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Road and Emirates Road to 110km/h, down from the current 120km/h.
The discussion was part of a meeting between Mattar Al Tayer, director-general and chairman of the board of executive directors of the RTA and Maj Gen Abdullah Khalifa Al Merri, Commander-inChief of Dubai Police.
The discussion on the possibility of lowering the speed limit was in the context of the recurrent traffic and run-over accidents on the two roads. “The two parties discussed the possibility of reducing the speed limit from 120 km/h to 110 km/h and resetting the radar at 131 km/h, and intensify law enforcement measures to fend off jaywalking,” the RTA said in a statement yesterday.
The meeting also discussed the needs of Dubai Police in the Enterprise Command and Control Centre (EC3), and the extension of the Dubai Metro Red Line to the site of Expo Project (Route 2020). Topics discussed also included safety issues of Dubai Tram and management of traffic accidents.
“The RTA and Dubai Police are mega government entities in the Government of Dubai and share a portfolio of roles and responsibilities that serve the strategic objectives and goals of the Dubai Government highlighted by secure, safe and smooth transport that adds to people happiness. These regular coordinative meetings offer an important communication channel for discussing new developments especially those relating to enhanced safety of roads and mass transit means for the benefit of citizens and residents of Dubai,” said Al Tayer.
Maj Gen Al Marri said: “These coordinative meetings of the RTA and Dubai Police are of huge benefit to the emirate and the joint business. They enable realising the common objectives of providing security, tranquillity and happiness to citizens and residents.”
Central control unit
The EC3, for example, will bring together the control centres of the Dubai Metro, Dubai Tram, Public Transport, Taxi and Traffic Systems to form a consolidated central control unit linking all RTA agencies.
Discussions also touched on the management of traffic accidents in Dubai, with the aim of reducing the time taken in managing traffic accidents and restoring the traffic movement back to normal as quickly as possible. Under this project, the RTA will provide logistical support needed by Dubai Police in managing traffic accidents. The parking of heavy vehicles in residential areas was also discussed and it was agreed to run joint awareness and enforcement campaigns.