BEIRUT: An unidentified woman was killed Friday when she was hit by a speeding car on a highway in Sidon. The accident, which resulted in the woman's immediate death, occurred on Friday morning, as heavy rain was falling on Nazih Bizri Highway in Sidon's eastern suburbs.

The woman, who was estimated to be about 60 years old, was crossing the highway when a speeding Mercedes hit her.

Her body was left for an hour under the rain until security forces arrived at the scene. The woman was then rushed to a nearby hospital by the Red Cross and the 19-year-old driver surrendered to the police.

A similar accident occurred a few days ago on the same highway, resulting in the death of a woman and her son.

The highway was built in the early 1980s when shops started to mushroom in the area, which used to be an orchard. But no pedestrian bridges were constructed to protect citizens.

After Friday's accident, citizens of Sidon urged the governor of the South and the municipality to adopt "severe measures" against speeding drivers.

A traffic sign warning drivers not to exceed the 40-kilometer  per hour speed limit stands on the highway; but few drivers notice it.