'Deadly' U-turn in Fujairah closed after call for action

Danger spot sealed by traffic police

Fujairah, United Arab Emirates - June 23rd, 2018: Stock and Standalone photos of Fujairah. Traffic in Fujairah. Saturday, June 23rd, 2018 in Fujairah. Chris Whiteoak / The National
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A "deadly" U-turn in Fujairah has been closed off by police after a plea from residents.

Members of the public called for police action after a string of crashes on the stretch in Al Bidya.

"We received many requests and suggestions from the residents to find a solution to the U-turn after it caused many deadly accidents, so we decided to close it," said Brigadier General Ali Al Yamahi, Director of Traffic and Patrols at Fujairah Police.

The two-way U-turn area is located in front of Adnoc gas station on the E99, connecting the area with Dibba and Khor Fakkan.

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“It’s very dangerous and closing it would solve the problem,” said Ali Kamel, who lives in Dibba.

“Many motorists take the turn while driving in high speed and that action can be fatal.”

Another motorist, Mohammed Al Shahi, believes other safety measures should have been tried.

“Many crashes and run-over accidents occurred due to that U-turn. Closing it was one of the options, but I think if they added speed bumps on both sides and warning signs that would have been also useful and would solve the problem,” said Mr Al Shahi,32.

“Now I need to drive for a long distance to return back and reach home.”

In 2014, traffic police reduced the speed limit on the E99 route through Murbah and Qidfa from 120kph to 100kph, but residents said the move did not go far enough and said a limit of 80kph or 60kph would be better.