Red road markings on Sheikh Zayed Road to warn speeders in Dubai

The National -- Over the weekend, photos of Dubai's Sheikh Zayed Road circulated on social media after parts of the highway turned red. The splash of colour was spotted by residents around the stretch of Sheikh Zayed Road between Dubai Marina and JLT.

It was revealed that the red carpets are not to beautify the roads (though we have to admit that they are indeed eye-popping), but that they serve a practical purpose. The new speed limits along Dubai's main thoroughfare is clearly stated along this red bit of road and is RTA's smart (and colourful) way to inform motorists not to go above the speed limit.

Areas of Sheikh Zayed Road are being painted red as part of a road safety campaign to alert motorists of a speed reduction.

Drivers noticed a stretch of the road being painted over the weekend.

But this is not a new occurrence.

Dubai’s Road and Transport Authority (RTA) began its red road venture this summer to highlight where maximum speed limits have been reduced to 80 kilometres per hour from 100km/h.

RTA said in June: “Asphalt colouring would be implemented in phases at locations subject to speed change in other vital roads in Dubai in a gradual timeframe.”

The new hard-to-miss roads are to help drivers avoid the penalty for speed offences.