Signals have been set up to control traffic at Halwan square, a major Sharjah roundabout, which links roads to two emirates, police said.
The roundabout was identified as an accident black spot because of the heavy flow of traffic, despite visual markers warning motorists.
Halwan Square is on the Sharjah to Dhaid highway and traffic passes through the square from Emirates Road to the northern emirates. “We will monitor the traffic and observe changes in the traffic situation,” said Ahmad Abdullah Bin Darwish, head of the Accident Section of Sharjah Traffic Police.
“We expect a lot of improvement after the signals,” he said.
He said the future plan is to set up signals at roundabouts that have large amounts of traffic. Darwish conceded that traffic is becoming worse in Sharjah and that ways have to be found to reduce the number of accidents.
Most of the major roundabouts in Sharjah do not have traffic lights and Anjad Patrols are obliged to organise traffic at these sites during peak hours and on weekends.
The major roundabouts are Shaikh Humaid Bin Saqr Al Qasimi roundabout and those at Kuwait Square and Culture Square.
Last year, Sharjah Police installed signals at major roundabouts in the industrial area, but had to disable them so that they could function with only flashing yellow lights. Two years ago, smaller junctions were changed into crossroads in the industrial area.
“Accidents cause traffic jams and the only way to stop delays on the roads is to reduce the number of accidents,” he said.
Motorists said they were surprised by the traffic signals at the roundabout. “It will slow down traffic on the busy Waset Road,” one resident said. Waset Road is part of the ring road encircling the southern part of Sharjah and links traffic with all the arterial roads.
Ahmad Khan, a taxi driver, said: “Every day, I pick up a lot of customers who need to go to the traffic department. A lot of taxis, trucks and other motorists also use this roundabout during the rush hour.”
He said because of the signal, he has to wait for a long time at the roundabout.
Alam Afsar, a garage owner who travels to Ajman frequently, said Waset Road is one of only two roads that lead to Ajman. It also links the industrial areas in both Sharjah and Ajman.
“Earlier, it was much faster. Now it takes me longer because of the traffic signal at the roundabout,” he said.
“There will be long queues waiting at this roundabout during the rush hour,” he said.
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