Motorists were advised to be extra cautious when driving in conditions of fog or low visibility early Wednesday morning.
The Abu Dhabi Police General Headquarters (GHQ) warned drivers on Twitter of “low visibility due to fog formation on highways”. Motorists were urged to take caution and follow the directions because of the dense fog in the early morning in some area.
The Department of Transport (DoT) also tweeted safety tips for motorists while driving in fog: “Allow enough distance between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you during bad weather, For your safety and avoid sudden accidents.”
On Tuesday, twenty-two people were injured in a pile-up crash that involved 44 vehicles on the Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Street (Abu Dhabi-Dubai road) on Tuesday. The Abu Dhabi Police said the incident, which occurred at about 8.08am after the Kizad Bridge in Al Samha, was caused by the low-visibility due to the heavy fog that blanked parts of the emirate.
The police have blamed the multi-car crash on the motorists’ failure to leave sufficient distance between the vehicles, speeding and disregard for road conditions despite the foggy weather.
In other fog related accidents, three people sustained minor and moderate injuries in two separate accidents in Al Ain after vehicles collided because of low visibility.
The police urged drivers to abide by the traffic rules, especially in foggy conditions to avoid traffic accidents.
They also advised drivers not to use hazard lights during fog until they have come to a full stop on the right shoulder of the road.
Under the traffic laws, driving in foggy conditions without using low or foggy lights are punishable by Dh500 fine and four black points.
Forecasters at the National Centre for Meteorology (NCM), said that visibility could be less than 800 metres in coastal areas.
Tips to drive safely in foggy conditions
> Check weather conditions before leaving home
> Follow traffic instructions during foggy conditions
> Make sure that you leave enough distance in the car in front of you
> Avoid speeding
> Avoid overtaking or changing lanes
> Use fog lights and avoid using hazard lights
By Web report khaleejtimes.com
