Camel-only underpass on busy UAE road

Camels in the United Arab Emirates' territory of Ras al-Khaimah will be treated to their own underpass on one of the emirate's busiest highways.

The passageway will be built under a road that leads to neighbouring Fujairah, and is part of the coastal emirate's mission to save lives on the roads.

Over 200 vehicles hit camels in Ras al-Khaimah last year, and the result is often fatal.

Now it is hoped that the seven metre long underpass will cut the number of deaths on Ras al-Khaimah's roads.

One Emirati camel owner, Hamad al-Ghafri, spoke to Abu Dhabi-based The National about the new underpass designed to protects camels and drivers alike

"It has a huge benefit for camel owners and it is important for the safety of motorists," said the 28-year-old. "It will also reduce the number of run-over accidents."

"It also eases the process of transferring camels from side to side [of the road]."

There are around 180,000 camels in the UAE according to 2003 figures, including 14,000 active racing camels.

The animal has been an important part of daily life among beduins in the country for centuries, and even now many Emiratis drink camel milk daily.