Dubai: Motorists said they are scared of driving on roads frequently used by trucks, especially those carrying building materials.
Despite repeated warnings from the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and Dubai Municipality, trucks continue to overload. Spillage from ready-mix concrete trucks is also common.
It has been about a year that RTA and the municipality joined hands to end the menace and avoid accidents and road damages. But the accidents involving overloaded trucks and spillage on road are being reported frequently.
"It costs at least Dh500,000 just to clean the spillage and debris from roads," said an official from the Dubai Municipality.
An official at RTA said the exact number of accidents due to debris dropped from over-loaded trucks is not available. "But this is one of the serious traffic hazards and we are dealing with this issue strictly," he said. "The problem of concrete spillage from trucks has been a nuisance for RTA and the municipality because the spillage not only spoils roads but also poses a threat to motorists."
Trucks involved in dropping debris can be fined up to Dh2,500 in addition to the cost of road damages and cleaning, the RTA official said. In case of a serious offence, truck drivers will be arrested and vehicles will be confiscated.
"I was driving on Al Khail Road when I suddenly saw some steel pipes on the road. They damaged tyres and the underbody of my car. I drove over them because there was no way to avoid them," said Khawaja Mahmoud, a Pakistani engineer.
Another motorist said he was approaching Business Bay Bridge one night when he suddenly saw a huge wooden plank on the road.
"I could not avoid the plank. I went over the plank and the car's body was damaged. I had to pay thousands [of dirhams] in repair. The approach to the bridge, travelling towards Al Ghusais and Rashidiya is dark, which adds to the problem."
'Unprotected' loading
Abdullah Hussain, a UAE national, said the problem is not only spillage from the ready-mix concrete truck but "unprotected" loading of building material and even food items. "I was stunned to see thousands of soft drink aluminium cans scattered on Al Khail Road near Al Barsha. Vehicles drove over them, bursting the cans, which also damaged my car's tyres and body."
Hanan H., a Lebanese real estate manager, said that he had even seen a municipality truck taking debris uncovered. "They put motorists lives at risk when these trucks drive on Shaikh Zayed Road with dust and heavy concrete particles blowing off their uncovered trucks. These hit windscreens and make roads slippery and dangerous."
Car workshops also said vehicles have severe damages to windscreens, tyres and body due to debris on roads. "We receive at least 15 to 20 cars every month with damaged windscreens, chassis and radiators due to concrete or the debris on roads. Last week, I received a car whose radiator burst because of an iron road which fell off a truck," said a mechanic at garage in Al Rashidiya.
Have your say
Have you suffered from this problem? What was the damage caused to your vehicle? In case of accidents caused by debris on raods, who should be penalised? Tell us at letter2editor@gulfnews.com or by using the comments form below.
Your comments
This is just one of the many hazards motorists are faced with on Dubai roads. I would be interested in knowing if the RTA has ever conducted a survey which looks at the number of recordable accidents per km of motorway. Statistically Duabi would surely be one of the most hazardous places to drive in the world? The RTA needs to clamp down in all areas, specifically patrol vehicles should be introduced on the motorways to fine erratic drivers, tailgating and speeding.
Andrew
Dubai,UAE
Posted: August 17, 2007, 07:02
