I have recently been to the u-turn where the unfortunate accident happened. From the u-turn I had a hard time assessing the speed of incoming cars on the opposite lane. The reason is due to the angle which one views on the u-turn. Since it is two lane road it is hard to determine if the car is moving at 80 or 120 kph which can confuse the driver on u-turn and mistime the turn causing a mess.
Accident history on u-turn
Looking at the accident history of RAK in Gulf news archives (which didnt report my sister’s accident) , there was already an accident in the same place a year before. Note specifically what the authorities had to say
A senior police officer from the emirate’s Traffic and Licensing Department said a 27-year-old Indian identified as S.I. was the main reason for the accident.
He moved his speeding vehicle from the right lane to the left lane to take a U turn, but could not keep control over his vehicle and hit another vehicle, driven by an Emirati, into which five other vehicles crashed.
The crash could be prevented by blocking the lanes which can prevent these reckless drivers to jeopardize the lives of many other innocent people. I have created a petition to close down the u-turn on E11.
Please sign the petition to close the u-turn on the E11 road at http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/close-uturns
Please spread the word when the number has reached 200, I will send it personally and meet authorities in Traffic & Licensing section in RAK.


10 comments
Comments feed for this article
February 21, 2010 at 7:23 am
Ahmed
Sorry to hear the news, I signed up on the petition
February 21, 2010 at 7:25 am
samir
I feel for your loss. Keep up te good work
March 1, 2010 at 7:53 pm
Nick
Firstly sorry to hear the story,but secondly I would like to offer some help. I run a company in the UAE that conduct traffic studies using video equipment and speed analyzers to typically help engineers and municipalities plan and improve their roads. I conducted some surveys on U-turns on Al Wasl Rd in Dubai last year after a tragic crash and subsequently some of the u-turns were closed. There is no reason that I can see why we can’t provide the same services to a ‘safety action’group as a way of quantifying the danger in a way in which it should make it easier for them to take action. If I can be of help then let me know. Obviously I will offer my services for free.
March 1, 2010 at 8:29 pm
shanzz
Thanks nick for the offer, I will let you know soon about the possibility to work out the idea.
March 1, 2010 at 8:44 pm
Alam
We feel for your loss. Hopefully she is in better place
March 2, 2010 at 4:53 am
Steve
I have signed the petition. I am sure the momentum will be achieved….
March 24, 2010 at 9:23 am
Sams Ahmed
I have signed the petition , may her soul rest in peace
March 24, 2010 at 9:46 pm
Saeed Nazar
I seriously think we should close that u turn..
Saeed from pakistan
April 29, 2010 at 9:27 am
Farzana
May Allah rest her soul in peace. Ameen & give courage to your family to bear that loss. Salaam
April 29, 2010 at 10:53 am
Dr. Premila Nair
Sorry for your loss. I have signed the petition.
I feel u turns should not exist, I avoid them most of the time.
In Ras Al Khaimah they are designed with no attention to safety,and with plants or posters blocking the view.
If they could not be avoided , all the u turns should at least be controlled by traffic lights.