My Letters - THE NATIONAL - New measures for pedestrian safety

For the original article titled Deadliest dash in Abu Dhabi by Matthew Chung, please visit:

http://www.thenational.ae/article/20090610/NATIONAL/706099910/1021

Text of my letter:

Deadliest dash in Abu Dhabi (June 9) is a very-well narrated article highlighting both the difficulties for pedestrians as well as drivers. In the case of Musaffah, authorities have to plan interim solutions like speed bumps (it is a long stretch there) or pedestrian-operated signals.

However, within Abu Dhabi city proper, it is the same old story – you fine me today, I will cross the same stretch tomorrow. I feel the only solution is to have high fencing on the road dividers which will make it impossible to jump across. Repeated public campaigns and guidance notifications have to be continued until it becomes a routine habit to use only pedestrian-designated crossings in accordance with the signals. It is nice to read that authorities are proceeding with several progressive measures, but the implementation may not be keeping pace with road usage growth.

Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi