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Figures from the UAE Ministry of Interior have revealed that traffic police recorded 1,137 instances of people being struck by vehicles in 2014, causing 170 deaths and injuries to 1,033 others.
This was down marginally from 1,209 in 2013, reports 7Days newspaper.
Brigadier Gaith Al Zaabi, director of the traffic coordination department at the Ministry of Interior, said: “Despite continuous awareness campaigns carried out by traffic authorities across the UAE about the dangers of crossing roads from unauthorised areas, some pedestrians have continued doing so.”
He said people being knocked down accounted for a third of all road deaths last year, adding: “Motorists should drive within the acceptable speed limits and stop jumping the red lights.”
According to traffic laws, jaywalkers can be fined $54 (Dhs200) and a motorist who fails to give priority to pedestrians is fined $136 (Dhs500) in addition to receiving penalty points.
Motorists who stop their vehicles in the middle of a pedestrian crossing are also fined of $54 (Dhs200) and earn three black points.
