I think it's a good initiative
Posted by Peter Stephan, Dubai, UAE on 2 November 2009 at 11:05 UAE time

It is certainly a good initiative.

But I think trucks and heavy trucks should have lower speed limits, in addition to lower max speed.

Like a road of 100 Kmph for light vehicles should limit heavy trucks to 80 Kmph.

confused
Posted by AVK, Duabai, UAE on 30 October 2009 at 23:09 UAE time

if you dont mind i have a dought. if you are implimenting this rules to reduce accident and you are installing camera every where to warning or to earn. why don't you make a rule that if the delears want to sell their vehicle (any kind ) in UAE the vechicles maximum speed should be 100km per hour not more than that then the people will not drive more than hundred so the driver can control the vehicle and save their life , also can save the pocket from fine. if the manufacturer don't want to fix, then the supplier can fix the speed limiting instrument.once the rule made then 30% of the accident can control. and if you avoid fixing temporary camera here and there it will also save another 10% the remaining accident is happening because of drivers NEGLIGENCE and over confident

Speed Cameras
Posted by GM, Abu Dhabi, UAE on 22 October 2009 at 09:16 UAE time

What proportion of accidents are caused by sudden lane changes made by some who think that 10m is enough time to change from the fast lane to a right hand turn off?

Education
Posted by Khaled, Dubai, UAE on 21 October 2009 at 18:30 UAE time

We need Education not Regulations !

jebel ali
Posted by gordon on 21 October 2009 at 17:32 UAE time

Dear Jebel Ali,
A point of note. Whenever you refute an argument always back it up with statistical evidence.

The point of my message was that speed is not the only reason, if you identify the wrong cause, you come to the wrong solution.

A 2005 study by the German Federal Interior Ministry (Bundesministerium des Innern) indicated that Autobahn sections with unrestricted speed have the same accident record as sections with speed limits. The only identifiable source of traffic risks in connection with speeding have been high-powered, light trucks that came up within the last 15 years and as they are used by courier services (e.g. Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and trucks alike). Over the years they were only capable of speeds comparable to heavy duty trucks, but since manufacturers began to build in significantly more powerful engines they attain speeds of up to 180 km/h. This led to a significant portion of fatal accidents being caused by such vehicles [12] due to the driver overestimating his or the car's ability to cope with sudden and heavy braking, side-winds, etc.
Accident evaluation
The overall safety record of German autobahns is generally better than that of other European highways. German autobahn fatality rates are lower than Austria's and higher than Switzerland's rates. Highways are safer than other road types,
The German autobahns are famous because they are some of the few public roads in the world without blanket speed limits for cars and motorcycles. Lack of blanket speed limits does not appear to negatively impact the road safety of autobahns compared with motorways in other countries; motorways are safer than other road types. Perhaps this is in part because traffic can be heavy enough to restrict speeds to little above the typical motorway speeds found elsewhere, or due to source http://www.german-autobahn.eu/

what a mess
Posted by VRV on 21 October 2009 at 10:43 UAE time

it's funny that they plan to do the decrease and yes it would be interesting like another reader said, to see how the camera will differentiate between a private owned and a cabby.

the funny part is, the speed limit on sheikh zayed road after interchange 4 onwards all the way to jabal ali reads 100km, while in reality the cushion is 140km not 120km. they didnt even bother to fix the signage...what a mess.

on another note, I would include mini-buses and vans under the buses umbrella. I bet you anything, those mini buses are a huge HUGE portion of the problem.

Smart Cameras
Posted by Dan on 21 October 2009 at 10:08 UAE time

I am very interested to know how the speed cameras will be able to differentiate a taxi from a private car, or a mini van from a 4 WD when deciding to flash at 110 or 120 Kms per hour ? Surely they wouldnt simply be trying to scare taxi drivers etc into slowing down...

Guessing
Posted by Amira Smith, Dubai, UAE on 20 October 2009 at 18:01 UAE time

Andy, I am only hazarding a guess here (and my first mistake could be to apply some logic to the thinking of the local police force) but, just on the basis of news clippings I have noticed that many of the deadliest accidents - in terms of death toll -involve buses. Particularly labour buses (those vehicles that seem to be held together only by rust...). Perhaps they are targeting these groups because they are disproportionately represented in accidents?
Also, as an aside, I regularly watch police cars cut across lanes of traffic without indicating, or even checking - on the assumption other road users will get out of their way. I would argue the police should be first in the queue for additional driving lessons.

why not for all?
Posted by andy, dubai, uae on 20 October 2009 at 17:20 UAE time

A few noteworthy points:

1- why segregate between trucks taxis etc and not apply this reduction to all road users?! What is being achieved here?
2- What measures are taken to actively police the roads outside of waiting for speed cameras to do the job? These cameras only catch speedsters...not lane violators, tailgaters, mobile phone users etc. Besides, one can spot them a mile away on our roads.
3- Why are cameras set at 20 km/h over the limit anyway?! Replace the term "limit" with "range" because that's how drivers currently perceive them. Drivers exceed the minimum limit and assume the minimum is 119 or 120 km/h until a camera flashes them.
4- Educate drivers and introduce national campaigns. Be stringent with violators. Tow away illegally driven/ parked cars. Strip drivers of their licenses. Increase fines. Send policemen on the roads to nab reckless drivers.

No Police on the roads.
Posted by Shehryar Iqbal, Dubai, U.A.E on 20 October 2009 at 15:25 UAE time
Dear Dubai Police,
How can you come up with a statistics of 10% when the policing on the road is near to non. Just yesterday as i walked past opposite welcare hospital i saw two very impatient drivers (one in a silver mercedes C-Class and one in a old Cherokee jeep. The guy in the Cherokee would have killed someone on the road if anyone would have been crossing the road as this road is not a main road and passes through the avaiation college. I have seen several cases like this in my 10 years in Dubai . My question is where is the Police ???? why they are not on the road??? It really makes me up-set when people do not behave on the road. This is a serious matter and if i may add with all due respect it seems people who are blogging and writing about bad behavior on the road are mostly english readers and subscribe to English newspapers, editorials & letters etc. My concern is there any Arabic paper (Tabloid style.E.g like the 7days but in Arabic) which can be published with the same comments and concern so it can reach to allour friends. No body's life is cheap we just need to get the message across without any prenotion or without judging any one from where they come from. Safe driving Folks and do not get angry while you drive. Regards, Shehryar.