|
Dubai: An accident is waiting to happen at a roundabout near the Green Community.
Residents in Dubai's Green Community continue to suffer due to heavy vehicle traffic at the Dubai Investment Park roundabout on Emirates Road.
"Despite repeated requests to the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) no action has so far been taken to solve this problem. We risk our lives to pass through this roundabout because truck drivers do not follow traffic rules and keep the roundabout blocked especially during peak morning and afternoon hours," said Wael Samman, a resident.
"We had a meeting with the RTA about a month ago and it promised to install some traffic signals at the roundabout but so far nothing has been done," he added.
Another resident said the heavy traffic at the roundabout may lead to a fatal accident.
"The authorities should immediately solve the issue because it is becoming very frustrating," he said.
He said that around 5,000 residents moved to the area on the outskirts of Dubai to avoid traffic congestion but the problem continues to haunt residents.
Known as the Dubai Investment Park roundabout, it links Emirates Road, the Road E11 to Jebel Ali and the road leading to the Green Community.
It takes at least 30 to 45 minutes to reach the roundabout from the Green Community - a distance which should not take more then five to 10 minutes to cover.
An official at Union Properties, which manages the Green Community, said they had nothing to do with traffic congestion at the roundabout on Emirates Road. However, he said they had talked to the RTA, which promised to install a signal and two more exits from the roundabout.
Gulf News found a trail of heavy trucks for several kilometres on both sides of the roundabout, which are a major cause of traffic jams. Truck drivers do not follow the roundabout rule to give way to traffic coming from the left side. It is difficult for smaller cars to either enter or exit the roundabout.
An RTA official said the RTA has approved a project to install traffic lights at the roundabout to ensure smooth traffic flow in addition to providing some extra exits to motorists coming from the Green Community side. He said the project should be implemented this month.
Do you use this roundabout? If yes, how often? How much time do you take to get through during peak hours? What will help resolve the matter?
Your comments
There is no shame in hiring out of an existing mega-city for consultation on traffic management. Cities with 10x the Dubai population have traffic jams that are a dream compared to here.
A great opportunity to build a city from scratch, but why not learn from the mistakes of others and do it right?
Chris
Dubai,UAE
Posted: November 01, 2007, 13:25
I use it rarely but whenever I do, I pray that something bad doesn't happen. Once I clear the roundabout I thank god that I averted an accident, because it doesnt matter how you drive. You are always on the mercy of this big container vehicles, if you have a bad day you can meet up with an accident and it YES it could be fatal. Why don't Authorities put signal on that round about or just prohibit the entry of big trailers during peak hours on the road.
Jainendra
Dubai,UAE
Posted: November 01, 2007, 13:12
Yes. I am commuting from JAFZA to Dubai International City for the past 6 months. It is indeed a death track at the Green Community R/A. I leave office at about 1900/1930 hrs and it takes me anytime between 45 minuts to 2 hrs to reach the R/A. Emerging is a dream and the utmost life threat. The motorists coming from Emirates road drive in massive speed and bring our heart in the mouth. Its' quite threatning and circus by itself. In addition, not only the heavy duty vehicles, the pick-up drivers and mini bus drivers are even more eratic and horrible drivers. They don't seem to adhere to the traffic rules and thoroughly adamant on the roads.
Pradeep
Dubai,UAE
Posted: November 01, 2007, 11:10
I used to use this R/A but have stopped using it for the sake of MY LIFE. I agree with the comment of Toni that RTA officials must use these R/A to understand what we go through everyday. The truck drivers are unbelievably dangerous drivers with total disregard to others lives, property and law.
K.T.
Dubai,UAE
Posted: November 01, 2007, 10:58
One time I was enetring this roundabout, and like how it is usually with heavy traffic, cars take turns in the slow process, when my turn came to enter, I slowly forwarded my car entering in front of a truck and I had to stop, but the truck started moving and slowly started crushing the front of my car while I kept honking in vain, he only stopped after he noticed that he can't move and there was something under his wheels, and finally after one and half hours waiting for a patrol, they gave me the red paper and said it was my fault.
Ahmed
Dubai,UAE
Posted: November 01, 2007, 10:31
Fantastic, something I was itching to comment on/vent my anger out on for a long time now. You see one of my closest friends had to shift to the D.I.P. as his company relocated and I spend my week ends with him. Trust me any of the coming week ends could be my last on mother earth. if something is not done ASAP to that R/A. It is a night mare out there, imagine huge trucks, mini vans, tankers all of them queueing up all at the same time, frustrated, drivers from the Al Khail Road determined to not give way to others cars speeding at towards the R/A. Ohhh u can imagine the situation.
Syed
Dubai,UAE
Posted: November 01, 2007, 10:30
I agree with Fred, there shouldn't be roundabout. RTA should remove the same and make proper junctions with signals instead.
In the meantime RTA should impose heavy fines on trucks and other heavy vehicles violating the law...
Saad
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: November 01, 2007, 10:01
Accidents are not awaiting, everyday three to four accident occurs at this roundabout. This issue is going on for a year or more but did not seen any resolution. Sometime police is there to control the heavy traffic but not most of the time.
Muhammad
Dubai,UAE
Posted: November 01, 2007, 09:47
It's simple to solve. Forget traffic lights just get the trucks to use the road during the off peak times as stipulated on the very large sign installed on the rhs as you leave the Green Community. 45mins to get out of your own front door. This situation needs Police control on a daily basis until a solution is found. Usually they are there dealing with accidents so may be they can be there to prevent them ?
Paul
Dubai,UK
Posted: November 01, 2007, 09:45
We use the roundabout to take our kids to school every day. It is hard to believe that such a roundabout exists. it is extremely dangerous. The RTA should begin work on a proper interchange as soon as possible.
Jeremy
Dubai,UAE
Posted: November 01, 2007, 09:36
I too had an accident on this roundabout - technically my mistake. the cement mixer stopped dead in front of me. Traffic lights will help, but are there plans for a new interchange there?
Linda
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: November 01, 2007, 09:35
Yes, I live in DIP and I use it everyday. I leave early at 7 am to avoid getting stuck, but in the evening it takes 45 minutes to pass this R/A. It is dangerous to find our way through the heavy trucks. RTA should install traffic signals immediately, and they should plan to built bridges to ease the heavy traffic congestion.
Lucien
Dubai,UAE
Posted: November 01, 2007, 09:23
Waiting to happen? Hasn't it already? I fully agree that it is a dangerous place. One literally takes their lives into their hands when entering that roundabout. Rules do not apply. I spent 45 min in the roudabout last night trying to get home and was scared the whole time as the trucks lock you in like a sandwhich. Trying to get to the exit to the Green Community is like a game of pinball. Fender Benders happen almost every 10 min in that place. Stop lights would be a huge help. It helped at the Arabian Ranches Round About.
Sveta
Dubai,UAE
Posted: November 01, 2007, 09:11
we are daily passengers through this roundabout early morning and evening. as mentioned in the above article, any time we can expect a fatal accident in this roundabout. we are often expereincing late to reach to office because of traffic jam in this roundabout. Please take necessary steps prior to happend any mishap in this area
Rasheed
Jebel Ali,UAE
Posted: November 01, 2007, 08:49
Putting a traffic light is a good decision. I stay in Al Ain City and before I used to pass this roundabout but because of heavy congestion with big trucks, I decided to avoid it and pass by Jebel Ali-Lahbab Road instead. I hope the authority will make actions immediately. It is a chaos every morning and evening rush on that area.
Sherwin
Dubai,UAE
Posted: November 01, 2007, 08:31
One of the worst round abouts ,You are never sure your going to make it between those huge trucks who cannot even see you .
John
Dubai,UAE
Posted: November 01, 2007, 08:18
I live in the Green Community. Signals will not solve the problem. These huge roundabouts need to be replaced with flyover junctions like those on Shk Zayed Rd so that traffic crossing the Emirates Rd passes under or over it, not through it.
Gary
Dubai,UAE
Posted: November 01, 2007, 08:09
I am one of the resident of Green Community. I am living in this place for over 2 years now. It is becoming so frustrating to see such traffic congestion increasing every day. I fully trust RTA and complement them for their wonderful job throught Dubai. But the kind of developement taking place in Dubai is so rapid and huge to cope with the resources available. Until a permenant solution resorted, RTA can arrange to have police petrol over this roundabout during the peak hours. At least the truck drivers abide by the road rules when they see a Police Vehicle at the roundabout.
Prince
Dubai,UAE
Posted: November 01, 2007, 08:00
Installation of traffic lights and forcing heavy trucks to use the road during specific times of the day is advisable.
Wissam
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: November 01, 2007, 07:53
Yes, I do use the same roundabout and I spend more than 30 to 40 minutes to reach DIP roundabout.
Mohammad
Dubai,UAE
Posted: November 01, 2007, 07:51
I have been commuting from Sharjah to DIP for over a year. The R/A in question is a suicide attempt for those using it. I think RTA is overwhelmed. Why does it take so many accidents and lives for them to take action?
Wael
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: November 01, 2007, 07:06
RTA, traffic roundabout is a thing of the horse carts? era, when traffic was sparse. Use traffic lights to have better control. Forget roundabouts in all your future projects, they are the best bottleneck and accident prone locations you can create. Drivers are guessing and hesitating whether or not he should go through, and big trucks don't usually yield, and worse still, one has to jam ones? brakes to slow down even when there is no traffic, hence traffic slows down. Remember traffic lights is a controlled junction, roundabouts are not.
Lee
Dubai,UAE
Posted: November 01, 2007, 06:04
I would ask RTA officials to pass by this roundabout at 6 pm from Jebel Ali side to understand how you are killing people.
Toni
Dubai,UAE
Posted: November 01, 2007, 04:41
I?m living in Deira but currently working in DIP/Green Community area because our company has decided to occupy a new office in the vicinity. Just two weeks ago, I had an accident because an erring did not give way to me while I am already in the position to enter into the middle of the roundabout. I firmly agree the RTA should install new traffic signals and/or give an extra exit for vehicles coming out from the DIP/Green Community area.
William
Dubai,UAE
Posted: November 01, 2007, 01:19
Roundabouts should have no place in a country with high volumes of traffic. The roundabout is the dinosaur of today?s traffic. Get rid of them as they create more problems than they solve. Use traffic signals and good law enforcement at times of congestion.
Fred
Brampton,CANADA
Posted: November 01, 2007, 01:18
Send us your comments
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Gulf News may edit comments for length and clarity but will not change the tone of the message. Comments will only be accepted all if fields (including name) are filled correctly and the message isn't abusive, defamatory or offensive. The Gulf News website will only print your first name along with your comment. Please state in the message if you wish to remain anonymous. All comments sent may be forwarded for use in the Gulf News newspaper.
|
