Dubai driver arrested after video of high-speed overtakes
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Khaleej Times
2 days ago
- Khaleej Times
Watch: Sharjah Police share video of car hitting man, remind pedestrians to cross safely
UAE authorities have time and again called on pedestrians to cross at designated areas, introduced strict penalties for jaywalking, and tightened laws on road safety. Yet, some individuals can be seen running across roads in an attempt to get to the other side quicker. Sharjah police released a video of an accident where a man is seen running across the pedestrian crossing as a car approaches, resulting in the collision between the two, and the loss of a life. Although the man is crossing at a designated area, it appears as though he is crossing while the signal indicates green for vehicles. Authorities reminded the public that "almost every report [of an accident] starts with the same cause — unsafe crossing." When crossing in a reckless manner to save a few seconds or minutes, the pedestrian endangers their life and of others on the roads. When accidents occur, they affect not just the victim, but their loved ones, authorities reminded. Watch a video, shared by Sharjah Police, here: A new traffic law which came into effect on March 29 introduced hefty fines and even jail time for jaywalking across the UAE, which refers to crossing from unauthorised areas. Before March, the penalty for jaywalking was Dh400. However, under the new law, jaywalkers could face imprisonment and a fine of Dh5,000 to Dh10,000 if the offence results in a traffic accident. In addition, those who cross from undesignated areas on roads with a speed limit of 80kmph or more will face higher penalties. For such a violation, fines start at Dh10,000 and the individual will be punished with imprisonment for a period of not less than three months, or by one of these two penalties.
Khaleej Times
4 days ago
- Khaleej Times
Ajman e-scooter ban: UAE residents recount near-misses, say 'safety paramount'
The decision to ban the use of e-scooters in Ajman would inconvenience some commuters but must have come after a lot of careful consideration, a road safety expert says. Meanwhile, some residents said that the move was an understandable decision for the safety of the community. 'Authorities don't take such measures without a lot of thought,' said Dr Eng. Mustafa Aldah, founder of MA Traffic Consulting. 'There must be something major behind this decision, and in the coming days it will become clearer.' He noted that while most road users follow traffic laws, a reckless minority creates risks that can lead to severe accidents. 'All it takes is one injury or fatality to have a huge repercussion in society,' he added. It was on Friday that all Ajman Police announced that the use of electric scooters of all types would be prohibited on public streets. Last month, it issued an advisory asking riders of e-scooters and two-wheelers to follow rules on the road, warning against the use of unauthorised electric bicycles and scooters. Ajman resident Asha Jamal said that she understood why the move was important. 'During last Ramadan, I almost met with an accident when an e-scooter came towards me as the rider was was going in the wrong direction,' she said. 'The ban may be miserable for many but the safety of the road users and the e-scooter users themselves are paramount.' In 2024 alone, the city recorded 254 accidents involving e-scooters and bicycles, resulting in 10 fatalities and 259 injuries. Earlier this month, Abu Dhabi police released a video which highlighted the dangers of improper e-scooter use in public and residential areas, drawing strong reactions from residents across the UAE. Lack of proper knowledge Dr Aldah stressed that many e-scooter riders lack proper road knowledge, as some have never held a driving license. He described common dangerous practices, including riding against traffic at night without lights or reflective clothing. Another Ajman resident Parveen Backer described an incident she had witnessed. 'From our building, we need to take a right turn to access the main road,' she said. 'Drivers usually check for vehicles from the left, and if clear, proceed. One day, while a driver was waiting to turn, a boy aged around 15 or 16 suddenly appeared from the right side without warning. Fortunately, the driver was moving slowly, and both escaped unharmed. Otherwise, it would have been a terrible tragedy.' In February this year, a 15-year-old badminton player lost her life in a tragic incident when the e-scooter she was driving on got into an accident. Later, her childhood friend called for tighter rules on the vehicle to ensure such incidents don't repeat. Timely move According to Dr Aldah, the ban by Ajman police is timely. 'Vulnerable road users can make up to 50 per cent of fatalities on the road so we must all watch out for each other,' he said, praising the swift and proactive approach to road safety regulations. He pointed out that that safety gear, visibility, and vehicle maintenance are essential for riders in areas where scooters remain permitted. He also urged targeting awareness campaigns at schools and parents, citing recent incidents involving children, including fatalities. Asha added that the ban would impact people she worked closely with. 'My household help commutes to and from our house in an e-scooter,' she said. 'This ban will definitely impact his timeliness but that is a small price to pay for his safety. He is now trying to sell it so that he can get money to find another mode of transport to commute to his accommodation.'
Khaleej Times
5 days ago
- Khaleej Times
Trump mobilises 800 National Guard troops to US capital Washington, D.C.
All 800 National Guard troops who were ordered to the US capital Washington to aid law enforcement personnel by President Donald Trump have now been mobilised, the Pentagon said Thursday (August 14). Trump ordered the deployment — which follows a similar move during protests in Los Angeles in June — as part of what he billed as a crackdown on crime in Washington, where violent offenses are in fact down. "As of today, all 800 Army and Air National Guardsmen are mobilised... as part of Joint Task Force DC, and they are now here in our capital," Pentagon Press Secretary Kingsley Wilson told journalists. They "will assist the DC Metropolitan Police Department and federal law enforcement partners with monument security, community safety patrols, protecting federal facilities and officers" and traffic control posts, Wilson said. The troops "will remain until law and order has been restored in the District, as determined by the president," she added. The US Army later said the National Guard's initial mission "is to provide a visible presence in key public areas, serving as a visible crime deterrent." "They will not arrest, search, or direct law enforcement," but they "have the authority to temporarily detain individuals to prevent imminent harm," the Army said in a statement. The troops will be equipped with protective gear, it added, saying that weapons would be available if needed but would remain in the armory. Trump announced the National Guard deployment — along with a federal takeover of the city's police department — on Monday (August 11), vowing "to take our capital back." In a further tightening of control, US Attorney General Pam Bondi signed an order late Thursday granting the head of the federal Drug Enforcement Administration the executive powers of Washington police chief, codifying the federal takeover of the capital's law enforcement. The overwhelmingly Democratic US capital faces allegations from Republican politicians that it is overrun by crime, plagued by homelessness and financially mismanaged. However, data from Washington police shows significant drops in violent crime between 2023 and 2024, although that was coming off the back of a post-pandemic surge. The deployment of troops in Washington comes after Trump dispatched the National Guard and Marines to quell unrest in Los Angeles, California, that was spurred by immigration enforcement raids. It was the first time since 1965 that a US president deployed the National Guard against the wishes of a state governor. Most National Guard forces answer to state governors and have to be "federalised" to be brought under presidential control, but in Washington these troops already report only to the US president.
