Road Safety UAE

Death puts focus on road safety

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Death puts focus on road safety

The death of Lucy Monro once again highlights the fact that road safety should be our utmost priority (Tributes pour in for British cyclist killed on UAE tour, February 16).

Not long ago, cyclist Roy Nasr died in a similar accident. All this points to the need for an increased road-safety awareness. Drivers need to be particularly cautious when there are cyclists on the road.

Those riding cycles should make sure they put on their protective gear before hitting the road.

Recently I saw a cycling enthusiast riding without a helmet and reflective jacket. Let’s try to avoid making such mistakes.

Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi
To read it in original, visit The National online

This entry was posted in HSE, Letters to the editor, Road Safety, Road Safety UAE, The National.

Ten UAE residents share their experiences with road rage – Gulf News Dt 15 February 2015

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Dubai: Those who pick up bad road habits seldom consider the consequences of their actions which may lead to severe road hazards.
Though texting while driving, among other bad road habits, has become as frequent as using car indicators, the action remains unjustifiable.
Gulf News reveals some bad experiences of UAE residents on the road, including their reaction to some of the incidents they encountered.
Colonel Jamal Al Bannai, Acting Director of Dubai Traffic Police, said that Dubai Police urge people to follow traffic rules and regulations. “People should not underestimate those violations, even if they think it’s minor, because they can lead to traffic jams and accidents.”
He added that people put their lives and the lives of others at risk by committing these offences, because they are not fully aware of the dangers of what they are doing.

Dubai Police, Al Bannai said, do not go easy on offenders and issue them fines.

RAMESH MENON, INDIAN, 46, BASED IN ABU DHABI
“Speed thrill and impatience are two of the worst driving habits I’ve witnessed on the roads in the UAE. When it’s winter and foggy, early morning hours on highways are dangerous due to poor visibility. Poor visibility added with impatience of some drivers becomes one of the main reasons for accidents during this time. But, fog is not always the case. Two recent instances still haunt my memory and were caused by speeding. One day, a speeding car ignored the warning signs on the road and ended up colliding with the roadwork barriers on the highway. The car later caught fire. In another incident, a young man on a motorbike was speeding and weaving through the traffic that was halting due to an accident. He was driving so fast that he couldn’t brake. He ended up hitting another vehicle ahead. Both situations could have been averted had they been patient on the road.”

This entry was posted in Gulf News, Letters to the editor, Mind Speaks, Opinion 2015, Road Safety, Road Safety UAE, Safety First.

Speed limit – Gulf Today – Dt 14 February 2015

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Speed limit
The other day, I was in a car driven by a young colleague. She was keen to show her driving skills to us and was driving well. At some point of time, I felt she was going a bit fast or above the limit. Not to discourage her, we started talking about the road safety issues, particularly speeding.
She was too fast to understand the point of view and said to us, “I am driving through this road every day. I know where the cameras are placed and where to reduce the speed. Do not worry.”
Do we get to read the mind of the other drivers on the road at the same time with us! Do we get to know in advance, if they do a dangerous fast move cutting across our pathway? Will it be possible to control the vehicle at that point if we too are speeding? No, will be my answer at all times. Road safety is of utmost importance, particularly caution towards speeding. After a particular speed, it would be impossible to control the vehicle, how much ever skilled one is. It is, therefore, advisable to stay within the speed limit and adhere to the road safety instructions set by the authorities.
Let safety for you, for me and for all, be remembered and reminded whenever we are on the road.

Ramesh Menon  
Gulf Today – Short Take Dt 14 February 2015
To read it in original, please visit Gulf Today online

This entry was posted in Gulf Today, Letters to the editor, Mind Speaks, Opinion 2015, Road Safety UAE, Safety First, Short Take.

Safety first – Gulf Today – Short Take Dt 10th January 2015

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Safety first

Many times life changes in a flash.

Looking at the weather scenario and the fog happening these days bring a sense of caution to all those who are driving in the UAE.

A strong sense of self-responsibility is required by everyone to drive slowly and safely. If and when one finds someone driving dangerously during bad weather, all efforts should be made to control the situation.

“Start early, drive carefully and reach safely” be our mantra at all times when we plan a journey.

Ramesh Menon
Gulf Today – Short Take – Dt. 10 January 2015


To read it in original, please visit Gulf Today online

This entry was posted in Gulf Today, Letters to the editor, Mind Speaks, Opinion 2015, Road Safety, Road Safety UAE, Safety First.

Poor visibility due to thick fog – Drive carefully

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Poor visibility in Abu Dhabi and surroundings due to thick fog (even at 08:10 am). Please drive slowly and carefully. Safety First.

This entry was posted in Road Safety, Road Safety UAE, Safety First.

BETTER SAFE THAN SORRY

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BETTER SAFE THAN SORRY


On Nov.3, we celebrated the UAE Flag Day. As part of the events of the flag campaign “Raise it high… Raise it proud” we were hoisting the flag in front of the mall where our office is situated. All management and staff were present representing a high multi-national blend joining together to show our solidarity to the country and its leaders’ vision.
The UAE national anthem was played at the end and we were just dispersing when I suddenly noticed our vice-president Sultan Al Hajji rushing to the middle of the pathway separating the main road from the mall.
I saw a group of school children running between the vehicles to a school bus which had stopped wrongly on the middle of the road for them to alight.
I was shocked and my reaction was also as impulsive as my vice president. I too rushed to the bus, stopped the children and went and requested the driver to move the bus to a safe place for children to get in. All these happened in a flash and we were able to control the children quickly.
We sent a request to the mall authorities and through them to the government departments to have appropriate fencing immediately so that this easy path that tempts drivers to stop midway ends.
We also came out with a plan to reroute the direction for larger groups, especially children to board the bus in safety. End of the day, it became a productive effort with excellent coordination from all concerned.
This spur of the moment action made our UAE Flag Day memorable. We felt happy that we value safety.
Safety aspects cannot be given rest. Safety is everybody’s business.
That is the culture we wish to bring on in everyone’s mind.

Ramesh Menon

To read it in original, please visit Gulf Today Online

For all my readers:

If you enjoyed reading this post and wish to subscribe to my blog, please go to the left hand side and choose the last ‘box’ which says subscribe. Also explore the many ‘previous articles’ listed month-wise on the links above on the left side of the blog. Share the posts with your friends through Facebook, Twitter or other accounts using the buttons below each post. 

You may also read similar articles at: Safety First

I would love to read your comments.

Thank you and best regards – Ramesh Menon Abu Dhabi – Clicksand Writes

This entry was posted in Gulf Today, HSE, Letters to the editor, Mind Speaks, Opinion 2014, Road Safety, Road Safety UAE, Safety First.

School buses must be tamed – Letters to the Editor – The National Dt 04 November 2014

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School buses must be tamed

I am relieved to know that road accident rates in Abu Dhabi have fallen (Deaths on roads decline by 17 per cent, November 2).
However, when I look at the way some drivers behave, I cannot believe that we have made any significant achievement in terms of road safety awareness.
For example, I regularly see school buses speeding through Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Street, Corniche Road and through the narrow lanes of Madinat Zayed. I see them being driven recklessly almost everywhere in the city.
Are these drivers not bothered about the safety of children, that of their own and other road users? Are they not even afraid of punishment?
More importantly, there is no way to alert the bus owners about such dangerous behaviour as none of them carries the “Am I driving safely?” sticker. This issue needs to be addressed urgently.

Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi
To read it in original, please visit The National online

This entry was posted in HSE, Letters to the editor, Road Safety, Road Safety UAE, Safety First, The National.

Drive Safe – Gulf Today – Short Take Dt 25 October 2014

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Drive safe
I am always worried when I get to see people driving dangerously. It has been a routine to talk and promote about safety on the road and elsewhere. From experience, I have felt people have to be consistently reminded of safe driving habits.
A moment of lapse in attention is enough to result in a major road disaster.
This is again and again proved when I drive on the Abu Dhabi – Dubai highway.
I was driving back from Dubai a few days ago and found the car in front of me not in control and wavering from one line to another. Feeling something dangerous going to happen as I watched a few distance from behind, I flashed and honked the driver to stop.
I went to him and talked to him whether he was ok. I found him exhausted and sleepy. It took some time for me to convince him to stop for some time, take enough rest and re-start his journey.
Many times, we may not get to be in that situation. I realised that it is not enough to drive carefully. But, we also need to watch out for others’ mistakes.
Beware of others’ mistakes. True to its word, at times we are really helpless.

Ramesh Menon
To read it in original, please visit Gulf Today online
For all my readers:

If you enjoyed reading this post and wish to subscribe to my blog, please go to the left hand side and choose the last ‘box’ which says subscribe. Also explore the many ‘previous articles’ listed month-wise on the links above on the left side of the blog. Share the posts with your friends through Facebook, Twitter or other accounts using the buttons below each post. 

You may also read similar articles at: Safety First

I would love to read your comments.

Thank you and best regards – Ramesh Menon Abu Dhabi – Clicksand Writes




Key words: Road Safety, Safety First

This entry was posted in #RameshMenonAbuDhabi, Gulf Today, HSE, Letters to the editor, Mind Speaks, Opinion 2014, Road Safety, Road Safety UAE, Safety First.

Jaywalking on the increase

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Jaywalking on the increase 

I would like to bring readers’ attention to the fact that jaywalking has increased on the streets of Abu Dhabi – especially along Sheikh Zayed the First Street (formerly Electra Road).

I find driving in the evening quite dangerous, because people of all ages cross the road at will.

I don’t know why they do this without any consideration for their own lives, but I do know that a lack of fencing is allowing them to do it.

I believe the distance between the pedestrian crossings is too far, so people take the easy option. I also think that some people avoid using the underpass because they feel unsafe doing so.

There should be an official campaign to fine people who jaywalk, and this fine should be increased if the person is talking on a mobile phone or listening to music through earphones.

I would like to see fencing along the median strip and signage to indicate the location of the underpass.

Let’s work together to make safety a priority.

Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi

To read this in original, please visit The National Online

For all my readers:

(If you enjoyed reading this post and wish to subscribe to my blog, please go to the left hand side and choose the last ‘box’ which says subscribe. Also explore the many ‘previous articles’ listed month-wise on the links above on the left side of the blog. Share the posts with your friends through Facebook, Twitter or other accounts using the buttons below each post. Thank you and best regards – Ramesh Menon

This entry was posted in HSE, Letters to the editor, Opinion 2014, Road Safety, Road Safety UAE, Safety First, The National.

Need for increased "speed control measures" by BTP in Kadugodi area

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The connecting road from Hoskote to Hope Farm area of Whitefield Bangalore has been relayed beautifully by the authorities.

The work has been done in such a way that the road till the Kadugodi Over Bridge is smooth and in a drivable condition.

There is a danger awaiting here at all times.

With the completion of the road work, the traffic has gained momentum in terms of speed. This includes the buses and heavy trucks.

A U-turn exists near the bridge making it easy for residents of nearby communities to cross over to the other side of the road.

However, the removal of a speed breaker that existed is now causing lot of inconvenience and near miss situations for the drivers to turn and proceed.

The bikes, trucks and buses are all in a hurry and neither stops nor reduce the speed!

Another serious danger of children from an apartment complex nearby crossing over the road to take their school bus. On either side, these vehicles never reduce the speed. Coming down the narrow bridge, the vehicles tend to speed and proceed. Going towards the bridge, the vehicles compete with each other to reach the bridge first!

It doesn’t end there. Many vehicles coming from the Hoskote side, take advantage of the U-turn and cut across wrongly and proceed towards the market side or residential communities located there. This is extremely dangerous and has to be immediately controlled.

I humbly request BTP on this serious safety issue and resolve it by:

– Having appropriate reduce speed signage kept in this area.

– Having BTP patrol presence in the morning, especially when children go to school.

– Having increased BTP patrol presence, on first Sunday of the month where a regular function is held at Sai Vrindavan Ashram and heavy traffic and people movement happens.

– Kindly reroute the heavy trucks from this road and using the bridge, which causes regular traffic blocks.

Accidents have to be averted by taking necessary safety measures before and not after they have happened and valuable life lost.

Ramesh Menon

For all my readers:


(If you enjoyed reading this post and wish to subscribe to my blog, please go to the left hand side and choose the last ‘box’ which says subscribe. Also explore the many ‘previous articles’ listed month-wise on the links above on the left side of the blog. Share the posts with your friends through Facebook, Twitter or other accounts using the buttons below each post. Thank you and best regards – Ramesh Menon

This entry was posted in Bangalore Traffic Police, HSE, Kadugodi Improvement Project, Road Safety, Road Safety India, Road Safety UAE, Safety First, TQM India.