The Traffic and Patrols Directorate at Abu Dhabi Police has forbidden trucks and large vehicles to drive on internal and external roads during fog, and can only continue their trips after clear visibility returns. Trucks and large vehicles are also not allowed to enter Abu Dhabi City during peak traffic hours. The directorate warned drivers that if these rules are violated, punishments will be considerable. This step aims to promote traffic safety during foggy weather conditions and reduce the number of traffic accidents.
Lt. Colonel Jamal Salem Al Ameri, Chief of Public Relations Section in the Traffic and Patrols Directorate of Abu Dhabi Police, called upon company owners and truck drivers to adhere to traffic laws and regulations. He said that trucks weighing 2.5 tons or more are not allowed to enter Abu Dhabi City during foggy weather conditions and peak traffic hours, which were identified as the hours between 7:30 am -9:30 am and 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm.
As a part of the “Safety During Fog” initiative, which is organized by the directorate in cooperation with the Security Media Department at the General Secretariat of the Office of H.H Deputy Prime Minister & Minister of Interior, Al Ameri urged all drivers, especially truck drivers, to reduce speed, maintain sufficient distances between cars, and to refrain from overtaking in general and avoid the use of emergency flashers.
Al Ameri said: “We have a comprehensive emergency plan as we raise awareness via direct broadcast and social media (Facebook, Twitter and YouTube) in cases of foggy weather and severe traffic accidents. We warn drivers and urge them to maintain sufficient distances between cars and avoid overtaking lanes or any other mistakes, like using emergency flashers during fog, which lead to traffic accidents.
The directorate is monitoring roads heavily during foggy conditions to prevent any causes of traffic accidents. The traffic patrols are also issuing AED1000 fines to trucks and large vehicles that enter the city, in addition to vehicle confiscation that can last up to a week.”
Al Ameri added: “The directorate takes great interest in making the roads safer in line with the traffic safety strategy of the Abu Dhabi Police. It spares no effort to raise awareness and implement all necessary measures in cases of foggy weather conditions, aiming to promote traffic safety and avoid any risks that lead to accidents.
External road speed for trucks is 80 km/h. We also prohibit tucks from using roads in case of low horizontal visibility during bad and foggy weather conditions.”
Al Ameri advised drivers to stop their vehicles on the side of the roads in case of low visibility and turn off their emergency flashers, while taking all cautionary measures to maintain their safety while driving in foggy conditions. “Motorists are advised to follow all measures required during foggy conditions: slow down gradually, drive carefully in a speed that suits the surrounding conditions, use low lights, avoid emergency flashers while driving in fog and increase the distance between vehicles,” Al Ameri said.