UAE BARQ برق الإمارات – نبضك
Dubai Police urges road users to exercise caution, adhere to safety rules, and reduce driving speeds during fog and unstable weather conditions, especially cyclists and e-scooter riders, who are advised to wear reflective jacket at all times.
Major General Saif Muhair Al Mazrouei, director of the General Department of Traffic at Dubai Police, said motorists should always be aware of changing road-weather conditions, especially during these months of the year when low visibility tends to be more severe. They are encouraged to take time before their journey to review weather forecasts and reports through accredited media and the competent authorities in the country to avoid dangerous traffic accidents.
Traffic Laws & Guidelines
Al Mazrouei highlighted the severe risk posed by fog-related accidents, resulting in fatalities, injuries, and material losses due to failure to keep a safe distance between vehicles. He stressed the importance of following safety measures while driving in fog, such as reducing speed, utilizing all vehicle lights during early morning hours, refraining from attempting to overtake another vehicle, and changing lanes only when necessary and using indicators. Additionally, he urged motorists to avoid using high beams that hinder other drivers’ visibility, refrain from activating hazard lights while driving, maintain focus on the road, avoid blocking traffic in case of minor accidents, and allocate extra time for journeys to mitigate stress caused by delays or traffic congestion.
Reflective Jackets
Al Mazrouei stressed the security and safety conditions which e-scooter riders and cyclists must adhere to, including adhering to designated paths, complying with traffic laws, wearing helmets and reflective jackets, and equipping rides with bright white front and red rear light reflectors and functioning brakes.
Traffic Patrols
The Director of Dubai Traffic Police further noted that the traffic patrols would intensify their presence on the outer roads to alert drivers to reduce speeds and prevent vehicles from parking dangerously on the shoulders of the road. He added that the patrols would also divert heavy vehicle traffic to its designated lay-bys during foggy weather to prevent traffic accidents, emphasizing that stopping on the sides of the road frequently leads to accidents.
2841 Emergency Calls and 51 Traffic Accidents
The Command and Control Centre in the General Department of Operations at Dubai Police received 2,841 calls on the emergency hotline 999 during the early morning fog hours today, Thursday, from 5 AM to 10 AM. Additionally, the Operations Room swiftly responded to 51 traffic accidents during the same period by dispatching patrols to the accident sites.
Colonel Mohammed Al Muhairi, Director of the Command and Control Centre, urged motorists to exercise caution and stay vigilant during foggy conditions and other weather fluctuations. He emphasized the significance of respecting traffic laws and adhering to the advice and guidelines provided by all authorities in the country. Furthermore, Al Muhairi emphasized the importance of drivers being aware of reduced visibility and maintaining a sufficient safe distance between vehicles.
