The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and the General HQ of Dubai Police have decided to reduce the speed limit on two busy roads in Dubai from 120 km/h to 110 km/h. The decision of reducing the speed limit on the Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road and the Emirates Road in Dubai was made in a periodic review by the concerned authorities to cut traffic accidents and increase road safety.
Both RTA and Dubai Police sat together to analyze the ratio of traffic accidents in different parts of the city and agreed to reduce the speed limit. They considered the factors like the road condition, nearby environment, and motorist’s behavior. The authorities have changed the speed limit signs and installed awareness signage according to international standards.
Limiting speed on the road is the best strategy to curb traffic accidents and both these roads have been experiencing a heavy flow of traffic.
“Lowering the speed limit on the Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Road and Emirates Road is an outcome of extensive studies conducted by the Dubai Police and the RTA.
“During the first half of this year, the Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Road was the scene of 99 accidents resulting in six fatalities and 78 injuries. Last year, the road saw 196 accidents resulting in 33 deaths and 249 injuries. As for Emirates Road, it witnessed 40 accidents during the first half of this year resulting in 10 fatalities and 75 injuries. Last year, the same road saw 86 accidents involving 29 deaths and 147 injuries,” said Major General Eng. Advisor Mohammed Saif Al Zafeen, assistant commander-in-chief of Dubai Police.
Lt. Soud Al Shaibah, director of traffic awareness at Sharjah traffic department said that they have the intention to reduce speed limits on Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Road and Emirates Road in Sharjah. In the past, the authorities changed speed limits on a number of roads.