40kph speed limit in residential areas: UAE Interior Ministry

The speed limit for vehicles in residential areas must be 40 km per hour, according to the Ministry of Interior.

The ministry also stressed the need for more control on quad bikes and steps to protect children on roads, reported Al Bayan.

The recommendations were made during the last session of the Federal National Council. MoI also suggested increased patrols on the roads to ensure safety of motorists and road users.

Safety of school buses

Meanwhile, the ministry said it will coordinate with the Standards and Metrology Organisation and the Ministry of Education to implement traffic safety measures in school buses.

Roadside parking

The MoI pointed out that it is coordinating with the Ministry of Public Works to create roadside parkings for trucks, especially on highways.

The MoI disclosed that it would link its system with that of the traffic departments in order to avail accident data.

Driving licence

The ministry added that there is a rise in issuance of driving licence. A 72 per cent increase has been witnessed between 2008 and 2013. While in 2008 approximately 2,296,035 licences were issued, the number increased to 3,081,078 in 2009.

In 2010, the number further rose to 3,354,776; in 2012 it rose to 3,755,955 and in 2013 the licences issued were 3,938,431.

Meanwhile, the number of vehicles during the period rose by 32 per cent. While in 2008 there were 1,947,206 vehicles; in 2010 the numbers rose to 2,026,175; in 2011 it hit 2,318,408 vehicles; in 2012 it further rose to 2, 523,026 and in 2013 the number of vehicles increased to 2, 674,894.

Traffic control

The MoI announced it has taken a number of measures to control traffic, which included amendment of Article 27 of the Traffic Law introducing black points.

The permit system for taxis, buses and heavy vehicles as well as personal vehicles have also been looked into, it added.

Patrols on roads

The ministry said it has increased the number of patrols to 136 on external roads – with 34 patrols in northern areas. There are  272 individuals patrolling the roads.

Traffic has increased by 92 per cent between 2008 and 2013. And 100 radars have been installed on roads in the Northern Emirates.

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