Heavy fog is causing major problems on UAE roads
Poor visibility was responsible for a pile-up involving 44 vehicles in Abu Dhabi.
Dense fog is once again causing a headache for commuters in the UAE, with visibility as low as 100 metres in some areas.
On Tuesday morning, 22 people were injured after a major road accident involving 44 cars on Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Road in the Dubai-Abu Dhabi direction.
Brigadier Khalifa Mohammed Al Khaiaili, director of the Abu Dhabi Police Traffic and Patrols Directorate, told The National the accident was caused by heavy fog and low visibility, as well as drivers’ noncompliance to safety rules, speeding and failing to keep proper safety distance.
Abu Dhabi Police shared this footage of the accident and its aftermath:
#شرطة_أبوظبي تنشر فيديو لحادث مروري وقع اليوم بسبب الضباب في إطار حرصها المستمر على توعية الجمهور. pic.twitter.com/r6KOLtZaMu
— شرطة أبوظبي (@ADPoliceHQ) February 6, 2018
Fog blanketed the country again on Wednesday morning, with the National Centre of Meteorology issuing an orange alert warning road users to be prepared.
— المركز الوطني للأرصاد (@NCMS_media) February 7, 2018
These videos give an idea of the conditions around the UAE – this was taken near Sharjah:
#المركز_الوطني_للأرصاد
#مشاهدات_ضباب
طريق البطايح – الذيد “ الشارقة”
كرم مبارك فريق #هتون_الغيث
#أصدقاء_المركز_الوطني_للأرصاد
يرجى توخي الحذر واتباع إرشادات المرور pic.twitter.com/peTFlFZB1B— المركز الوطني للأرصاد (@NCMS_media) February 7, 2018
This one was taken on Abu Dhabi-Al Ain Road:
#المركز_الوطني_للأرصاد
#مشاهدات_ضباب
بداية طريق #أبوظبي – العين “اتجاه العين”
#أصدقاء_المركز_الوطني_للأرصاد
يرجى توخي الحذر واتباع إرشادات المرور pic.twitter.com/efZtp2dK6C— المركز الوطني للأرصاد (@NCMS_media) February 7, 2018
Here’s one from Abu Dhabi:
#المركز_الوطني_للأرصاد
#مشاهدات_ضباب
ابوظبي – جسر المقطع للداخل
#أصدقاء_المركز_الوطني_للأرصاد
يرجى توخي الحذر واتباع إرشادات المرور pic.twitter.com/waKcUaqQOR— المركز الوطني للأرصاد (@NCMS_media) February 7, 2018
The forecaster said fog was likely to form again on Wednesday night and Thursday morning.
TIPS FOR DRIVING IN FOG
1. Slow down. Double the safety distance between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you to allow more time to stop. This should be about 5 seconds’ distance.
2. Turn your fog lights on. This is the symbol for them:
3. Do NOT use hazard lights. These confuse other road users, which creates an even more dangerous situation. Hazard lights should only be used if your vehicle has become a hazard for other road users (eg. if your car has broken down).
4. Do NOT use high-beam. Make sure your headlights are dipped. Using high beam can create more problems as the powerful light reflects in the fog and causes a glare, dazzling other drivers.
5. Avoid passing, overtaking or changing lanes – basically, any unnecessary driving maneuvers. Pick a lane and stick to it.
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