Motorists please take note: The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and the General HQ of Dubai Police will start implementing the reduction of the speed limit on the Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road and the Emirates Road in Dubai from 120 k/h to 110 k/h starting on Sunday, October 15.
The decision, made last month, has been taken as part of the two parties’ efforts to curb traffic accidents and enhance the safety of road users.
A periodic review is carried out to speed limits on some vital streets and highways in Dubai to adjust the speed limits up or down depending on the condition of the road and the surrounding environment, in coordination with strategic partners.
The RTA and Dubai Police are coordinating several preventive measures to maintain the safety of road users. These include changing the speed limit signs to 110 k/h instead of 120 k/h and the directional and awareness signage; which in turn govern the traffic relationship between road users. Every effort is made to adopt the top global standards and practices to ensure the provision of safe and smooth transport for all.
The decision is mainly intended to curb traffic accidents resulting from speeding, especially as the two roads witness huge volumes of heavy vehicles traffic in both directions. Controlling the speed limits is one of the most effective measures of reducing traffic accidents.
The procedure of controlling the speed limits is based on several criteria highlighted by the design speed of the road, and the actual speed observed by the majority of drivers, the RTA earlier announced.
“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.
Meanwhile, there are no plans yet to change speed limits on Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Road and Emirates Road in Sharjah, according Lt Soud Al Shaibah, director of traffic awareness at Sharjah traffic department, said there will be no reduction in speed limits on these two roads as there was no need to do so.
He also clarified that any decision in this matter will be taken by the federal authority. The current speed limit on both these roads is 120 kmph, with the radar set to flash if vehicles touch speeds of 141 kmph or above. More
