80% want buses kept in the slow lane

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TRAFFIC MISERY: People feel strongly that buses should be restricted to slow lanes. (Getty Images)

New restrictions should be brought in to crack down on how buses and minibuses can be driven in the Gulf region.

That's the strong opinion of 80 percent of people who took part in an Arabian Business poll on Monday, following the tragic minibus crash on Sheikh Rashid Road in Dubai, in which five people died.

The minibus was on its way to Bur Dubai from Deira when it swerved near Dubai Police Officer’s Club and landed on the opposite side of the road, rammed into a car and overturned, police say.

And respondents to our poll say the best way to prevent a repeat incident is to restrict buses and minibuses to slow lanes in cities. People also wanted to see speed restrictions fitted to larger vehicles.

The Egyptian driver of the minibus, three Filipinas and an Indian were killed in the smash on Sunday and while the cause of that crash is still being investigated, 10 percent of people who voted believed that buses and minibuses driving too fast were to blame for the majority of crashes.

A further 10 percent thought that changes to where buses could be driven would just cause more confusion for all road users while less than a single percentage of respondents thought the traffic situation in the Gulf's major cities was not as bad as everyone made out.

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READERS' COMMENTS

Dubai Minibus Drivers
Posted by Kasim, Dubai, UAE on Wednesday 16 July 2008 at 14:47 UAE time

I have seen minibus drivers tearing down the fast lane on the highway, at well over 120 km/h, even tailgating and flashing their lights to move other drivers out of the way.

I think ALL passenger transport vehicles (including taxis) should have their vehicle's speed restricted to 80 km/h, this includes the pre-historic buses which carry school children and construction workers. These vehicles should not be allowed in the overtaking lanes. I have also noticed that trucks drive around bald tyres and broken lights.

I strongly agree that minibus drivers need to be regulated - I believe it would save lives and reduce accidents.

One night I noticed 3 construction worker type buses racing on Sheikh Zayed Road, hogging 3 lanes and weaving in and out of traffic.

Increased police presence on the road, and traffic monitoring camera's may deter those who choose not to obey the traffic laws. On Sheikh Zayed Road, I think average speed cameras would help a lot.

Drivers of buses are still reasonably safe drivers
Posted by Dxbgrl on Tuesday 15 July 2008 at 18:35 UAE time

Drivers of buses are still reasonably safe drivers. They know they are driving a large vehicle and take reasonable precautions. With personal experience I have noticed minibus drivers driving like maniacs!! According to RTA rules, minibus drivers need a light licence. But these drivers forget that the rules that apply to light vehicles such as cars are not the same as for minibuses.

I think RTA needs to change the classification system and bring in minibus licence holders under the heavy vehicle driver category.

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